Kamloops RCMP Supt. Brad Mueller displays the weapons seized from the Westsyde location in a media conference Dec. 18, 2013
(JESSICA WALLACE / iNFOnews.ca)
November 25, 2015 - 10:44 AM
KAMLOOPS - A man accused of running a chop shop in a Westsyde trailer was acquitted of all charges after a Kamloops Supreme Court Justice determined police violated several charter rights when they conducted two searches and seized multiple weapons.
Charles Gerald Patrick, born 1956, was arrested Dec. 11, 2013 after police pulled him over for as part of an investigation for fraudulent vehicles and found a sawed-off shotgun tucked in his jacket. After searching his vehicle, police seized ammunition, marijuana, steroids and a machete.
The search continued at a mobile home allegedly linked to Patrick on Westsyde Road where investigators seized multiple firearms including an air rifle, long barrelled firearms, gun parts and ammunition. Following the seizure, police held a media conference to display the items seized from the trailer. Kamloops RCMP Supt. Brad Mueller alleged the guns could have ties to organized crime, but did not name specific gangs.
Jusice Hope Hyslop acquitted Patrick in Kamloops Supreme Court today, Nov. 25, on eight gun-related charges, including occupying a vehicle in which there is a firearm, possessing weapons obtained through an offence and possessing a prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition. Hyslop determined police investigators had unreasonable grounds for search and seizure and an incomplete warrant to search the Westsyde home, which violated Patrick’s rights.
Her written decision is expected to be released in the next two weeks.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Glynn Brothen at gbrothen@infonews.ca, or call 250-319-7494. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2015