A man has been arrested and charged with multiple offences after being found in possession of a loaded handgun and hundreds of rounds of ammunition on Tuesday night.
Just before midnight, Saanich Police said they received a report that a man had unlawfully entered a residential complex in the 4000 block of Shelbourne Street.
The suspect had left the area before police could respond. However, an Integrated Canine Service (ICS) officer and his police service dog were able to locate the suspect nearby.
Upon the suspect’s arrest, police discovered a bag containing nearly 500 rounds of 9mm and .22 caliber ammunition.
Additionally, a search of the area by the ICS officer and his dog uncovered a loaded .22 caliber revolver on the ground nearby, with ammunition matching those found in the bag.
Further investigation revealed that the revolver had been stolen from a break-in in Port McNeil back in 2021.
The suspect, identified as Raymond Beaton, 57, has been charged with possession of a restricted firearm while prohibited from possessing one, possession of a weapon obtained by the commission of an offense, possession of a restricted weapon, and possession of a restricted weapon with ammunition.
Beaton appeared in court on Wednesday morning and is currently being held in custody.
“The ICS officer and his partner, Police Service Dog Hitch, demonstrated their ability to secure important evidence from this scene in a very quick manner,” said Cst. Markus Anastasiades.
“Without their assistance, this loaded firearm could have ended up in the wrong hands, with the potential for serious consequences.”
Police released photos of the ammunition obtained during the arrest, which has signs of corrosion on the bullets themselves.
