Nanaimo RCMP have arrested a man for possession of multiple weapons which included a sawed-off shotgun he allegedly had in his backpack.
According to police, at around 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 23rd, bike patrol officers received a call that a man was loitering outside the 7-11 on Fifth Street.
The officers say that when they got there, they found three individuals sitting in a parking stall.
One of these individuals they reportedly knew as 29-year-old Roddy Weidman and they were aware he had court ordered prohibition of possessing any kind of “break-in tool.”
Police say they saw a large axe and a backpack beside Weidman they knew, so they arrested him for possessing a break-in tool.
In his backpack, the officers reportedly found several knives, a small axe and a sawed-off shotgun which was loaded.
“Alarmingly, officers are finding more and more of these modified firearms, replica firearms (airsoft), bear spray and assortment of knives and weapons on a daily basis,” said R/Cst Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.
“This patrol, while seemingly routine, was not and is a testament to the diligence of the Bike Patrol and other front-line officers on keeping the criminal element in check and our community safe.”
Police say they added the possession of these weapons to the charges they were laying against Weidan.
Weidman appeared in court on Wednesday, April 24th for the charges to be laid and will remain in police custody until his next court appearance on April 30th.
