Men charged over burglary, ammunition, explosives

TWO Oamaru men were surprised by police early on Monday allegedly breaking into storage containers in Oamaru North with a car full of ammunition and explosives.

The 29yearold and 34yearold Oamaru men appeared in the Timaru District Court yesterday morning charged with burglary, possession of ammunition, and possession of explosives, Sergeant Blair Corlet, of Oamaru, said.

A police patrol came across two men at 1.20am on Monday. They had used bolt cutters to break the locks of storage containers in Industrial Pl.

A search of their car uncovered .22 calibre ammunition, .177 calibre ammunition, four and ahalf rolls of Senatel Magnum emulsion explosives, 188 nonelectric detonators, and eight electric detonators.

Christchurch Army explosive experts were called in and secured the explosives.

A search warrant executed at one of the men’s homes in

Oamaru about 3pm uncovered more ammunition, Sgt Corlet said.

No firearms were found. Police believe the Senatel Magnum emulsion explosives were stolen in the past two to four days and rural area residents who might use the explosives legitimately were asked to check if any of their supplies had recently been stolen.

Senatel Magnum emulsion explosives were often used in mining operations, but could be used by farmers clearing land, Sgt Corlet said.

Yesterday afternoon, a police spokeswoman said the 34yearold was remanded on bail to reappear in Oamaru District Court on November 13.

The 29yearold was remanded in custody and would reappear in Timaru again today.