naval base in lockdown, weapons stolen

[Ykato]

Australian naval base in lockdown, weapons stolen

A Darwin navy base is in lockdown after an intruder broke in, stealing a number of weapons early on Friday morning.

An ADF member was assaulted and a cache of weapons was stolen from a patrol boat, moored at HMAS Coonawarra.

The Department of Defence said the intruder overpowered a duty member on board the boat and then ''accessed the vessel's armoury and removed a number of weapons.''

The person then ''departed the vessel with the weapons''.
Northern Territory police have locked down the base and are searching all exiting vehicles.

HMAS Coonawarra is a naval base in Darwin, about two kilometres from the city centre. It would be common practice for there to be small arms on board a patrol boat.

NT Major and Serious Crime Detectives are investigating the incident, along with Defence personnel and the Australian Federal Police.

www.stuff.co.nz/world/australia/8019579/Aus

[Ykato]

Weapons stolen from Australian navy vessel
(AFP) – 15 minutes ago

SYDNEY — An intruder robbed an Australian navy vessel of a cache of weapons after overpowering military personnel on guard, the defence department said, in an unprecedented security breach.
The Australian Department of Defence said the infiltrator "overwhelmed a duty member onboard a patrol boat" which was moored at HMAS Coonawarra, a naval base in the northern city of Darwin.
"The intruder overpowered the duty member, accessed the vessel's armoury and removed a number of weapons," it said in a statement, without specifying what arms were taken.
"The person then departed the vessel with the weapons."
Reports said firearms usually found on an Armidale-class patrol boat could include machine guns, assault rifles, shotguns and 9mm pistols, as well as ammunition.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation said a single intruder armed with a gun tied up a crewman in the attack, which took place at the Larrakeyah Naval Base, which was later placed in lock-down.

"Police received a report just before 1:00 am that a Defence member had been assaulted and a cache of weapons had been stolen from a navy patrol boat moored at the base," Northern Territory police Commander Richard Bryson said.
"Police have locked down the base with all vehicles exiting being searched."
Navy chief Vice Admiral Ray Griggs ordered an investigation into security on all naval ships and bases in the wake of the incident, which was also being probed by the Australian Federal Police.
"It's certainly a breach of security and it's a very concerning one for me," Griggs told Fairfax radio, adding that it was the first breach of its type on an Australian navy vessel.
He said the assaulted crew member had his life threatened but was recovering well.
About 600 naval personnel are based in the Darwin region, many working at sea in border protection.
Tropical Darwin is a key defence hub for Australia, with rotating United States Marines based in barracks outside the city since April this year as Washington looks to deepen its presence in Asia.

www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iwK7nuWODfMdkXnb9fvehIcTfsAg?docId=CNG.4a43531576c35995cb435686f1bcd085.181

[Bruce]

sounds like a plot line for "Sea Patrol"...

[ngatimozart]

According to the ABC two pump action shotguns and around a dozen 9mm pistols were taken, but no mags or ammo. It also said that the intruder was familiar with the layout of the ACPB. At the moment it is thought no automatic weapons were taken.

[ngatimozart]

The NT police have made an arrest and investigation is ongoing.

[Luther Moore]

[ngatimozart]

Cool. ;D

[planecrazy]

Ha Ha, like the poster, they couldn't give those Styers away, maybe they have improved now but heard at first were a fairly average weapon for the Australian Army?

Note, you don't see any special forces using them?

[nuuumannn]

the infiltrator "overwhelmed a duty member onboard a patrol boat"

I think they need to invest in stricter security measures, to be frank...

[ngatimozart]

NT cops have arrested a 26 year old RAN Leading Rating (Cpl) for the aggravated robbery of HMAS Bathurst, the ACPB from which the pistols and shotgun were stolen last month.