Police recover final firearm from Anzac Day burglary
The final gun stolen from the Palmerston North Police on Anzac Day has been recovered more than five months after it was taken.
Eleven firearms were identified as stolen from the Palmerston North police station on Anzac Day morning. Police said someone entered the station via an open door, forced their way into a room and took off with the guns.
Eight guns were soon recovered, and police later found out two of the guns thought to have been stolen had actually been returned a week before. A clerical error led to police thinking the two guns had also been stolen.
That left one gun outstanding. A police statement on Friday said the final firearm had been recovered.
‘‘At this time no charges have been laid in relation to this firearm however our inquiries are ongoing,’’ the statement said.
‘‘As we have previously stated, a number of steps have been taken to improve both the physical and security processes at the station.’’
Alan James Harris was arrested after the burglary and in
September he was sentenced to two years and three months’ jail.
When Harris was sentenced, the court was told he he heard a garage door open and he peered over the Palmerston North police station fence while walking past.
He jumped the fence, sneaked inside, kicked down the exhibits room door and removed 26 guns of various kinds, plus ammunition and cannabis.
He hid his haul in a neighbouring property, then retrieved his car to load the stash into.
But he was seen by police while loading the car, only managing to take the ammunition, cannabis and nine guns as he fled.
He distributed the guns and ammunition to associates.
Police have recovered the ammunition.