Ammo, explosives found in car during alleged burglary

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

The 29-year-old and 34-year-old men appeared in Timaru District Court this morning charged with burglary, possession of ammunition, and possession of explosives, Sergeant Blair Corlet, of Oamaru, said.

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

A search of their car uncovered .22 calibre ammunition, .177 calibre ammunition, four and a-half rolls of Senatel Magnum emulsion explosives, 188 non-electric detonators, and eight electric detonators.

The men were taken into custody.

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

Later in the day, about 3pm, a search warrant executed at one of the men's homes in Oamaru 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 Senatel Magnum emulsion explosives legitimately were asked to check if any of their supply 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.

hamish.maclean@odt.co.nz