BURSTA man has been remanded into custody after a firearm was located during a police response on VanGaalen Road on Feb. 20.
Smithers RCMP were called to check on a vehicle reported to be idling on VanGaalen Road. When officers conducted a traffic stop, the passenger exited the vehicle and fled into a nearby wooded area.
Police contained the area, and the individual who fled was identified as Kenneth Thomas. Officers searched the area where he had initially fled and located a pistol with the serial number defaced. They also discovered a knife.
Thomas is currently bound by a release order prohibiting him from possessing weapons.
He was arrested and held in custody. Several charges were approved by the Crown, including Possession of a firearm without licence and registration; Possession of a firearm knowing it was not licensed or registered; Possession of a firearm with altered serial number; Possession of a firearm contrary to a court order; Careless storage/handling of a firearm; two counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose; and breach of release order.
He remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 24.
“Community vigilance played an important role in this matter; police were able to respond quickly because a concerned member of the public reported suspicious activity,” said Staff Sergeant Ryan Law, Smithers RCMP Detachment Commander.
“When residents trust their instincts and reach out, it allows officers to intervene early and, in some cases, prevent more serious incidents from occurring.”
An investigation is ongoing.