Broome crime crisis: Two tranquiliser guns missing, allegedly stolen by kids from local vet

Broome police are on the hunt for two missing tranquiliser guns after a trio of juveniles allegedly orchestrated a brazen smash-and-grab at the local vet this week. Police have charged two children, a 17-year-old male and a 13-year-old female after three children allegedly ransacked Broome Cattle Vets on Jewel Street, Djugun, on Monday night. “It will be alleged about 11:30pm, three juveniles forced entry into a store and stole three tranquilliser guns, ammunition blanks, and a silver Toyota Landcruiser,” police said. “A short time later, Police located the vehicle abandoned in Cable Beach.” The third child alleged to have also forced entry to the local business was handed a written warning by police. Broome Cattle Vets business owner, Dave Morell, 70, said he received a call from police around 2.30am on Tuesday before he discovered “carnage” inside the vet. “They had kicked the door into the drug room and smashed the door,” Mr Morell told The West Australian. “They had opened the safe and got the keys to the gun safe.” “They took three tranquiliser guns and jumped in my car and rode off, they left one of the guns at the doorway and another has been recovered by police.” Mr Morell - who started Broome Veterinary Hospital 45 years ago — said his Toyota Landcruiser had since been “written off” after it was “stolen and rolled in a ditch” by the children. “They tried to bust open the door with screwdrivers or a crowbar... I had to replace the front door and fence, buy a new car, and replace the fence,” he said. It is alleged the children drove the car through a fence at the vet when they fled the scene. Following confronting scenes in Cable Beach on Tuesday - where three young children were found cable tied - Mr Morell said a recent spate of youth crime “saddened” him. “I grew up with these kids ... I went away to work as a vet, then I came back and everyone was abusing alcohol,” he said. “It angers me and saddens me that the kids are doing this.... maybe they are trying to outdo each other.” “I have insurance but it won’t cover everything, I think I’ll be five or six thousand out of pocket... I feel like I’ve been used.” “I built the property 43 years ago for my family, I use it as a cattle vet and it’s an office for Broome Vet Hospital.” Two of the tranquiliser guns remain outstanding in the community but Mr Morell said he doesn’t believe they pose a risk. “I don’t think there is any danger because they need CO2 containers and specialised darts to load them (the guns),” he said. “But they are still missing, which is always a concern.” Police said the 17-year-old male is due to appear in Broome Children’s Court on Wednesday while the 13-year-old girl is set to appear on March 15. As police continue to search for the two tranquiliser guns, anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.