An imitation firearm with an extendable baton was discovered during a traffic stop by the Ridge Meadows RCMP.
The department’s Specialized Response Team were doing patrols on Friday, April 12, when they stopped a vehicle they deemed suspicious to verify the driver’s license and identity.
When officers looked into the vehicle they saw what they believed to be a gun and were able to remove the driver before seizing the firearm. They immediately determined the gun was an imitation.
“Police are always thinking critically, and traffic stops are no exception to this. This traffic stop is an example of these officers’ ability to make quick decisions that could impact public safety. At first glance, the firearm was believed to be real, however it was determined to be an imitation,” said Tisha Parsons with the Ridge Meadows RCMP.
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The vehicle, which was impounded, also contained property, believed to be stolen.
The male driver, the lone occupant of the vehicle, was already prohibited from driving and wanted on four outstanding warrants, with 22 charges in total, issued out of Langley and Abbotsford in September, 2023.
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He told police he had been evading arrest since the warrants were issued.
Additional charges are anticipated, said Parsons.
“This is a great example of the proactive work that the Ridge Meadows RCMP CRU continue to do in our community,” she added, noting the investigation is currently active and ongoing and no further information is available at this time.