Military grade fully automatic firearms were seized as police swooped on properties across Wyndham on Tuesday following a series of armed robberies.
The M16 and M4 rifles were found during raids on 10 properties at Point Cook, Seabrook, Wyndham Vale, Tarneit, Werribee and Williamstown.
Eleven people, most in their 20s, were arrested over alleged connections to three armed robberies and an attempted armed robbery.
They included the hold-up and shooting of a woman at a Sunshine West factory on October8 last year, the robbery of a Derrimut cafe the same day, and an armed robbery involving a hold-up of a cash delivery van and its driver outside Sunbury McDonald’s and attempted robbery of a Keilor Park McDonald’s, both on December 1.
A car believed to have been used in relation to the Sunbury hold-up was later found dumped and burnt out at Little River.
It is believed drugs, cash and seven cars were seized on Tuesday, along with four firearms, including the two military grade weapons.
The breakthrough comes after a $100,000 reward was offered last week in return for information.
Detective Inspector Steve Clark, of the armed crime taskforce, said police were investigating how the group obtained the high-powered rifles. He said how the group’s members became linked was also under investigation.
“Motivation is an interesting question for police. Whether it’s drug-motivated or not, we’re not sure,” he said.
“We’re really pleased members of the public have responded to the reward.”
No charges had been laid at the time Star Weekly went to print.
– with The Age
