Firearms stolen during a violent attack on a 76-year-old man at Coles Bay remain missing five days after he was bashed and his home was burnt down.
Detective Inspector David Gill said detectives had carried out more than 20 searches between Coles Bay and Hobart, along with several other inquiries across southern Tasmania.
Two unlawful firearms were recovered during the searches.
“Analysis of these firearms continues, but they are not believed to be linked to the firearms stolen from Coles Bay,” Gill said.
He said the whereabouts of the nine registered firearms remained unknown.
“It remains a concern to investigators that we have not received information pertaining to the possible location of those firearms stolen last Saturday,” Gill said.
“Illegal firearms, in the wrong hands, represent a significant threat in the community.”
Gill said police had received a “significant amount” of information from the public and were reviewing the reports as they worked to identify the offenders.
The searches follow a violent home invasion at Grant Whelan’s rural property on Coles Bay Road around 5am on Saturday, July 11.
Police say two masked men broke into the home, assaulted Whelan and forced him to reveal the location of his firearms safe before tying him up and dragging him outside.
The men then allegedly set the house alight and stole a Hilux ute.
The vehicle was later found partially submerged beneath the Apsley River Bridge near the Tasman Highway and has undergone forensic testing.
Whelan remains in the Royal Hobart Hospital in a stable condition.
In a statement to the ABC from hospital, he thanked the community for its support.
He described the offenders as “pure evil” and said he had been experiencing nightmares since the attack.
Police have renewed their appeal for anyone who saw suspicious behaviour or vehicle activity in the area at the time to come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously, quoting reference number 810474.
