A sawed-off shotgun and ammunition collected during a recent traffic stop in Medicine Hat is pictured at the Medicine Hat Police Service headquarters - Photo by Ross Lavigne

By Charles Lefebvre

Man facing firearms charges following traffic stop

Oct 15, 2019 | 9:58 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — A 26-year-old Medicine Hat man is facing multiple firearms charges following a traffic stop Tuesday morning.

According to a news release from the Medicine Hat Police Service, members of the patrol team conducted a vehicle stop at approximately 2 a.m. in the 800 block of 16 Street Northeast.

“Our members were in the area patrolling, and a vehicle took their interest, travelling at a high rate of speed-almost 70 kilometres per hour- in a residential area,” said Staff Sgt. Trevor Humphries with the Medicine Hat Police Service.

Officers stopped the truck the suspect was driving, and the man was arrested.

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During the search of the vehicle, police discovered a sawed-off shotgun, along with ammunition and break-in tools. The shotgun was allegedly loaded at the time of the stop.

Humphries says finding a weapon such as a sawed-off shotgun during the stop is troubling.

“It is a loaded firearm, in a motor vehicle, moving through a residential area,” he said. “Fortunately in this case, the individual was cooperative with police. If there was a lack of cooperation with a loaded firearm at his disposal, it certainly can be very concerning for the police service and the public.”

The suspect is facing numerous charges, including multiple firearms related charges, possession of break-in instruments, breach of probation and breach of recognizance. He remains in custody, awaiting a bail hearing, which Humphries said was set to occur later on Tuesday.

The man cannot be named until the bail hearing occurs, but Humphries says the suspect is previously known to police.