Police have made an arrest during an extensive search of a property as they looked for a missing tradie who mysteriously vanished without a trace.
Adrian Romeo, 43, was last seen at his home in Dempster Drive in Craigieburn, in Melbourne’s north, at about 5.30pm on February 10.
Police believe the builder may be a victim of foul play and officers spent Tuesday searching a property for a potential breakthrough, Nine News reported.
The rural property in Wildwood, north-west of Melbourne, is 21km from where Mr Romeo was last seen.
More than 100 police officers and SES members were seen with cadaver dogs and dirt bikes in their search of the 400-acre property on Tuesday.
A 34-year-old man who was living in a bus on the property was arrested after detectives allegedly found guns, drugs, ammunition and stolen vehicles.
Victoria Police confirmed to Daily Mail Australia early Wednesday that the man has since been charged with prohibited person possess firearm, possess cartridge ammunition, possess imitation firearm, handle stolen goods and possessing drugs of dependence.
The charges are not related to Mr Romeo’s disappearance or suspected death.
Adrian Romeo, 43, (pictured) was last seen at his home on February 10
More than 100 police and SES members searched the property (pictured) using dirt bikes, garden tools and cadaver dogs
The 34-year-old will spend the night in custody and appear in Broadmeadows Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
Police believe the man was not known to Mr Romeo.
At least four vehicles were allegedly seized from the property to be forensically tested in the hope they could provide a link to Mr Romeo’s disappearance.
It is understood detectives scoured Wildwood Road for CCTV footage of Romeo’s car for weeks after the 43-year-old’s disappearance.
Police launched a public plea for information about Mr Romeo’s whereabouts on Sunday.
His cousin Charlie described the 43-year-old as a ‘hard worker’ and who was ‘loved by a lot of people’.
‘How this has happened, we don’t know,’ he said.
On February 10, Mr Romeo had told his parents he was going to nearby Greenvale to visit some friends.
It’s believed Mr Romeo left in his gold Camry to attend an address in the neighbouring suburb, where he spoke to a number of associates there.
A man who was living on a bus on the property was arrested (pictured the police searching the large farm)
Police believe Mr Romeo met with foul play as it was out of character to not contact his close-knit family and close circle of friends
The 43-year-old hasn’t been heard from since and his bank accounts remain untouched, leading detectives to suspect his disappearance is suspicious.
Mr Romeo’s phone has not been in use since he disappeared sparking grave concerns that he’s now dead.
‘Adrian has a large number of friends, there is nothing in Adrian’s history to link him to any organised crime, there is nothing to explain why he might have gone missing,’ Victoria Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said on Sunday.
‘Adrian’s disappearance is incredibly concerning for police, as well as his friends and family,’
‘We are very confident that Adrian’s disappearance is suspicious and I’m of the belief he is deceased.’
Prior to his disappearance, Mr Romeo was close to his friends and family.
It’s considered out of character for him to not contact anyone.
