(MARSHALL JONES / iNFOnews.ca)
January 14, 2013 - 1:15 PM
A routine traffic stop nearly had tragic consequences for a Kelowna man, a Kelowna RCMP officer—or both—after police found loaded weapons inside the vehicle.
RCMP Const. Kris Clark said police attempted to stop a grey Mercury Sable on Highway 33 because a headlight was out. But the driver took off and when police found it again on Davie Road, the driver jumped out of the car and the officer acted in quickly in case the driver was getting a weapon from the trunk.
The officer pulled his service pistol, took charge and arrested the man. Sure enough, in the trunk were several loaded weapons, mostly rifles. But inside, within reach of the driver, was a loaded 9 mm handgun. Officers just finished upgraded training on use of force at the abandoned Water St Seniors Centre on similar scenarios where they were reminded to prepare for anything.
"It is certainly out of the norm for a typical traffic stop," Clark said. "It really affirms to that (RCMP officer) that his actions were appropriate. You really never know. That is one of things about a traffic stop, it's the great unknown... you never who is in that vehicle and what they have in that vehicle and what their intention is."
The officer on scene was aided at the time by an auxiliary constable.
They found nine firearms—four of them loaded—and thousands of rounds of ammunition. They found another two in the man's home after getting a search warrant. The man faces charges of flight from police, careless use of a firearm, possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose and mischief. He is expected to appear in court later today.
The investigation continues.
News from © iNFOnews, 2013