PRINCE ALBERT - Four firearms were removed from the community on Wednesday afternoon and early Thursday morning by members of Prince Albert Police Service Patrol, Proactive Policing Unit (PPU) and Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan.
On Jan. 15, while on regular patrol in the 1100 block of 1st Avenue West, PPU members recognized a male walking on the street who had outstanding warrants for his arrest. Officers quickly turned around and relocated the man where he was arrested without further incident. After further investigation, officers located a firearm and methamphetamine in the man’s backpack. As a result, the 40-year-old man has been charged with numerous weapons and firearms offences, breach of probation (x4), and possession of methamphetamine. He is scheduled to appear in court Thursday.
At approximately 12:50 p.m. on Jan. 15, members of Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan in Prince Albert conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle observed to be speeding in the area of Highway 55 East. During the traffic stop, the male driver disclosed to officers he had used cannabis. Officers conducted a test for recent consumption of THC and while administering the test, an object that appeared to be methamphetamine fell from the suspect’s person. At this point the man was arrested without incident. Officers then searched the vehicle and located a firearm. The female passenger was subsequently arrested for possession of a firearm. Upon returning to the police vehicle, officers observed the oral fluid demand test on the driver had come back positive for cocaine. The male driver was also then arrested for possession of a firearm and two outstanding warrants. As a result, a 23-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman are facing a number of firearms charges. The 23-year-old man has also been charged with obstructing police and possession of methamphetamine.
At approximately 1 p.m., police were dispatched to a mall in the 1400 block of Central Avenue for a report of a suspicious person. Initial information stated four males in the food court were speaking about a break and enter offence and one said he had been bear sprayed. Officers quickly arrived and located three males and a female matching the description of the suspects. While approaching them, the female began to walk towards the washroom where she met up with a fourth male and then returned to the table. All four males were arrested without incident and upon a search of their persons, a handgun was located inside one of the suspect’s backpacks. The firearm was seized by police and investigation is ongoing.
On Jan. 16 at approximately 12:20 p.m., police received a call from the Prince Albert Fire Department regarding a motor vehicle collision where it was believed an intoxicated driver fled on foot. Arriving officers located a white SUV that had been reported stolen had collided with another vehicle. After further investigation, officers learned following the collision, a female was seen exiting the driver’s seat of the white SUV with a bottle of alcohol along with another female and three males. The Prince Albert Police Service Canine Unit attended and a K-9 track was conducted and led officers to the 2600 block of 6th Avenue West where a bottle of alcohol was recovered. Officers also located and seized a sawed-off shotgun and ammunition from the white SUV. Police are continuing to investigate. Anyone with information that may assist is asked to contact police at 306- 953-4222, or in an emergency, 9 1 1, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
