Police briefs North West City - February 2026

Firearms manufacture

A North Melbourne man has been charged with multiple counts of possessing an imitation weapon after Victoria Police searched a property in Melrose St and found two 3D-printed handguns, 3D ammunition, an imitation revolver and an imitation long-armed rifle.

Also uncovered in the search was a gel blaster assault rifle, various firearms parts, two gravity knives and a 3D printer.

Detectives allege the 28-year-old, who also faces charges of possessing a prohibited weapon, was manufacturing and storing the weapons at the address.

He was arrested and later bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on September 3.

Australia Day antics

A motorcyclist has been charged with speeding and other traffic offences after allegedly being clocked at 127km/h in an 80km/h zone while doing a “mono” in West Melbourne.

The 42-year-old had his bike impounded after he was spotted on Footscray Rd just after 10pm on Australia Day.

Police pulled the St Albans man over and impounded his bike for 30 days as part of a statewide road policing operation over the Australia Day long weekend.

He is due to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on March 16.

Warning over “offensive slur”

Police tracked down and issued a warning to a Kensington man who yelled a “prejudice-based” insult at another man in JJ Holland Park in Childers St last month.

The 53-year-old who used the “offensive slur” was believed to be a regular visitor to the Kensington park and was jogging there on January 2 when he yelled at the victim, a 34-year-old, who was walking his dogs.

The victim took a photo of the man, who then “fled the scene”, and police later released CCTV footage of him.

“There is absolutely no place for hate-based behaviour in our society and police will not tolerate such activity,” police said in a statement.

Monuments vandalised

Police say an investigation into the vandalising of two monuments at Flagstaff Gardens overnight between Wednesday January 21 and Thursday, January 22 is ongoing.

It is believed machinery was used to pull down the 1871 Pioneer monument
– erected to commemorate early colonists – which was then vandalised.

The nearby Separation Memorial – erected in 1950 to mark 100 years of the Victorian government – was also defaced with red paint.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential online report at crimestoppersvic.com.au •