A "large" number of "lethal" handguns have been stolen in a well-organised "targeted attack" on a Melbourne gun store, Victoria Police says.

Four armed men wearing masks, one with a gun, and at least one other carrying a sledgehammer, entered the High St shop at Thornbury, in Melbourne's north, around 11:00am, stealing a number of guns from the racks.

Asked to comment on reports that up to 60 weapons may have been taken, Assistant Commissioner Steven Fontana said they did know it was more than a dozen but the final total would not be known until a thorough audit had been conducted.

"We do know a large number of handguns were stolen for that's for sure," he told a press conference.
The armed men fled in a white stolen SUV which was later found dumped on Clapham St, Thornbury.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-01-29/masked-men-steal-firearms-from-melbourne-g...

Six men have been arrested as part of the investigation into the armed robbery of a Thornbury gun shop.

It’s been revealed 37 handguns were stolen in the brazen daylight robbery of the High Street gun shop on Monday last week.

Follow a week of investigations, heavily-armed Special Operations Group officers yesterday raided a Docklands property and arrested two men aged 18 and 20.
They were both charged.
Further warrants were carried out in Craigieburn, Dallas, Wallan, Keilor Downs, Chadstone and Broadmeadows.
Four men were arrested, and are being questioned.

Police say the suspects were known to police and are of “Middle Eastern descent”.

At the time of the incident, it was believed about 60 firearms were stolen during the armed robbery.
A subsequent audit by the Victoria Police has determined that 37 firearms were taken.
All 37 guns have been recovered.

https://www.3aw.com.au/six-arrested-following-armed-robbery-at-thornbury-gun-sho...