River Isaac Moore: Accused armed robber of Busselton gun shop likely to be released from hospital

A man accused of holding up a South West firearms store is likely to be released from hospital in the coming days. River Isaac Moore was due to appear in the Busselton Magistrates Court on Tuesday, charged with armed robbery, two counts of unlicensed possession of a firearm and ammunition and possessing a prohibited weapon. However, the 24-year-old from Cowaramup did not appear after the court received a letter from the WACHS acute psychiatric unit stating he was still an involuntary patient under WA’s Mental Health Act. He was previously detained at Busselton Hospital following a court appearance in Perth on Saturday. While Magistrate Michelle Harries was content with proceeding with the brief hearing in Mr Moore’s absence, police prosecutor Sergeant Jane Gillham informed the court she had received word that Mr Moore was likely to be released from hospital “soon”. Mr Moore was previously granted bail that would take effect upon his release from hospital under many strict conditions, including reporting to Busselton Police Station on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, residing at an address in Cowaramup and not going within 50m of the gun shop he allegedly robbed. Mr Moore’s charges were adjourned for four weeks for further legal advice, with his bail extended under the same conditions. It is alleged Mr Moore stormed the South West Firearms and Gunsmithing shop on Fairlawn Road about 8.50am last Thursday, stealing a long-arm rifle and ammunition before leaving the store in a silver car, believed to be a Holden Commodore wagon or similar. After a nearly two-day hunt, the rapid apprehension squad on Saturday said it had arrested Mr Moore at his home on Friday night. It is also alleged that Mr Moore possessed an illegal Colt Airsoft replica gun.