An arrest stemming from reports of an assault have led Nanaimo RCMP to an explosive discovery.
On Tuesday, July 28, RCMP were called to a north Nanaimo residence for reports of an assault with a weapon. They were advised that the suspect had brandished a firearm at the victim during the attack, before fleeing the scene in his own vehicle.
When police arrived at the residence just after 8 p.m., they found the suspect’s vehicle parked outside his residence and used a megaphone to draw him out of the house.
The 37-year-old man was then arrested without incident.
On Wednesday morning, Nanaimo RCMP acquired a warrant to execute a search of the property where the assault took place, which is also where the suspect resides.
In a phone call with Victoria Buzz, RCMP spokesperson Cst. Gary O’Brien confirmed that the search of the residence yielded upwards of eight firearms.
None of the weapons were loaded, but they were also not safely secured. There were also magazines full of munitions that were of concern.
Perhaps the most significant discovery, however, was that of military grade munitions, including mortar rounds, found in various parts of the property.
“The Canadian Armed Forces have been contacted and they are attending that residence to take control and dispose of the firearms safely. We don’t know if they were live,” said O’Brien.
Charges in this case are still to be determined, as police are now looking into what charges can arise from the firearms possession, what the suspect’s background is, and whether or not they are allowed to have those weapons in the first place.
According to police, the suspect is a resident of the property, but the victim who was assaulted lives elsewhere.
Investigators have reason to believe this was not a random assault and that there is no risk to the public in this incident.
Anyone who has information on the assault case, or witnessed something, is asked to contact the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345.
