Unmarked car, gun stolen from off-duty police officer

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Police are searching for a gun stolen from an unmarked police car during an aggravated burglary at the home of an off-duty officer in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs.

Images of a gun are being circulated on encrypted messaging apps used by underworld figures.

The vehicle was stolen from the property about 5.30am Tuesday and found dumped several suburbs away five hours later.

Images of a gloved hand holding a loaded magazine next to a gun were circulated on encrypted chats used by organised crime figures following the theft. The Age is unable to verify if the image is of the stolen police firearm.

An underworld source speaking on the condition of anonymity said the firearm was being offered for sale on the black market for $30,000.

The price of illicit guns has ballooned as they become harder to find as a result of the enforcement of firearm prohibition orders. A police spokeswoman said several items of police equipment were stolen during the incident, including the stored gun.

“This firearm is yet to be recovered, and a significant investigation is under way to try and locate it,” the spokeswoman said. The thieves also stole a number of other items from the home. No one was physically injured during the incident.

“The exact circumstances surrounding the aggravated burglary are still being determined and police urge anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers,” she said. However, investigators do not believe the off-duty officer was specifically targeted by the burglars.

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