By Vanessa Chircop
A GUN was discovered at Truganina Park in Altona Meadows last week.
The gun, a .22 caliber Lithgow rifle, was discovered in its leather case by a council park worker last Tuesday morning.
It was discovered at the bottom of a pond at the park. Acting Sergeant Alistair Cooke told Star the council worker initially thought the object in the pond was a log.
Upon realising it was a gun the worker reported it to the Altona North Police. “It has no serial number that we could find, as yet – it’s gone off for identification,” he said.
Acting Sgt Cooke said police believe the rifle may have been dumped in the pond but at this stage they are unable to tell how long it was in the water.
“It’s very hard to work out how long things have been in freshwater. Saltwater is a bit easier.”
“A ball park figure might be anywhere from two weeks to two months.”
Police believe it could be some time before the rifle is identified by their forensic team. Acting Sgt Cooke has advised anyone who has had a rifle stolen in the last 12 months to contact police at Altona North if they believe they have information relating to the firearm.
