A man found sleeping in his car is facing serious charges after police discovered several illegal items in the vehicle while doing a welfare check in Auckland’s Sylvia Park.
Police said they had initially found the man “slumped over the wheel” of his vehicle at around 3.30pm.
Police Counties Manukau west area response manager Senior Sergeant Steve Albrey said officers wanted to ensure the man wasn’t experiencing a medical emergency and ascertain whether he needed any help.
“However, as they approached the vehicle and looked in, they spotted a double-barrel shotgun, which was cocked open, and a broken meth pipe in the front passenger footwell.”
The man was woken from his rest and arrested. A search warrant was also invoked, which unearthed further illicit items.
Albrey said officers located a .22 calibre Ruger in the back footwell which “had 10 rounds in the magazine”.
“Alongside the firearm were 60 additional rounds, which is some serious fire power.”
He said it was a “good catch by our staff” who were “in the right place at the right time”.
“What started out as concern for a person’s well being led to these items being taken off the street, and an alleged offender having to answer to his actions in court.”
A 42-year-old man is set to appear in the Manukau District Court today charged with four counts of unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition.
