A PORTLAND man has been remanded in custody after being charged with 12 offences mostly relating to stolen firearms found in a roof wrapped in a pink doona cover.
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Marcus Christoper Edwards, 27, of Otway Street, appeared in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court late on Thursday to apply for bail.
Magistrate Jonathan Klestadt refused bail and remanded Mr Edwards in custody until next week.
Police said Mr Edwards was a learner driver, prohibited from having firearms, was already on bail charged with causing damage.and had been staying at a shed at a George Street address even though he also couch surfs.
Overnight on April 9 offenders entered a vacant home in George Street and broke into a safe containing four guns.
They stole the firearms, a scope and a large amount of ammunition as well as a 32 inch television.
There were also a large number of tools taken from a shed after a lock was cut.
On April 14 Mr Edwards was seen by police driving a maroon Holden Barina.
He accelerated away from officers in heavy rain last Saturday and police did not give chase.
During an investigation police discovered that two of the stolen guns were being stored in a Mitchell Street home.
That home is occupied by one of Mr Edwards’ family members.
Police raided the home early this week and found two guns and a large amount of ammunition wrapped in a pink doona cover.
The doona has been hidden in the roof cavity of the home.
On Wednesday at 4.30pm police located Mr Edwards playing the pokies at the Portland RSL.
He was arrested.
Mr Edwards was also seen driving a maroon Toyota on Tuesday and police claim he made admissions to doing donuts in the car that day.
Mr Edwards has been charged with 12 offences, including handling stolen goods, being the two firearms and ammunition.
Other charges are being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, being an unlicensed person in possession of ammunition, failing to store firearms and ammunition securely, reckless conduct endangering serious injury, driving in a dangerous manner, failing to stop when directed by police, unlicensed driving, driving an unregistered car, committing offences on bail and two counts of being a learner driver not accompanied by an experienced driver.
