A 32-year-old man and a 26-year-old man were arrested after they were found with two rifles and attempted to flee the scene.
Police officers with automatic rifles had cordoned a zone off on Frederick Street between 11th Avenue East and Plaza to Eighth Avenue East from 4:24 p.m. for several hours while they searched for an armed suspect in the woods nearby.
On Sept. 5, Prince Rupert RCMP were called to the 600 block of 10th Avenue East, where a witness said they saw two men carrying rifles in a suspicious manner. A witness saw the men walking with long guns or hunting-style rifles, but looked like they were trying to conceal them, stated the RCMP press release. The men jumped a fence and headed into the trees.
When officers arrived on the scene and found two men fitting the witness’s description, the men ran from the police. The RCMP were able to arrest one man, but the other ran into the bush, so Terrace police dog services were contacted to help locate the second suspect.
Both men are currently in custody, and will appear in court on Sept. 6 for the possession of weapon for a dangerous purpose.
“Police want to advise the public there is no further risk and this was an isolated incident,” Corporal Devon Gerrits said the night of the arrest.
The investigation is ongoing. Gerrits added that the RCMP believe the rifles may have been stolen from the area, and are requesting anyone with information about the weapons or a break-and-enter into a residence to contact them. The RCMP can be called at 250-624-0700 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
Read more RCMP Police briefs here.
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