The firearms had been locked in a safe at the Wooragee property, but a 21-year-old man found the key and took the guns.

They were stolen overnight on September 17 as the occupants slept.

That had followed another aggravated burglary committed by the same man at Yarrawonga about 10 days earlier.

Two of the weapons were found about 10 kilometres out of Wodonga in land off Spring Gully Road.

The guns – which are powerful enough to pierce through thick metal – had ammunition with them and had been hidden in the bush.

The weapons had been stashed next to a tree stump on the side of the road. 

The shortened weapon was found in the Border man’s vehicle, hidden in the door.

The stock and barrel had been cut down, but the weapon did not have any ammunition. 

Detective Leading Senior Constable Ray Causer said it was a relief to recover the guns.

“Police are concerned when any firearm is stolen,” he said.

“We were very happy to get the guns back.

“Police are happy that the firearms have been recovered and they are no longer a threat to the community.”

The weapons, which will undergo testing, had not been used after being stolen. 

“They are centrefire rifles of a large calibre, which if left in the community would have been of great concern to police and the community at large,” Detective Leading Senior Constable Causer said.

The 21-year-old told investigators he had the shortened gun with him for his own protection.

He will face court in Wodonga on Monday.

He is facing 10 charges for aggravated burglary, theft, and firearms offences. 

He has also been charged over an assault that occurred in Melbourne last November.

Police have previously expressed concern about firearms becoming an increasingly attractive commodity for crime gangs in the region. 

Crime statistics show an increase in weapon and explosive offences in Wodonga and Wangaratta in recent years. 

Prohibited and controlled weapons offences have also increased in the Albury region by 27 per cent over the past five years.