RCMP Truck, image by Jon Tupper
FORT McMURRAY — Two Fort McMurray youths are facing weapons-related charges after RCMP seized what initially appeared to be a firearm during a late-night traffic stop on Highway 63.
Wood Buffalo RCMP say officers with Municipal Traffic Services stopped a speeding vehicle shortly before midnight May 11 south of the Confederation Drive off-ramp.
During the stop, police observed what appeared to be a firearm inside the vehicle’s glove compartment.
RCMP say three occupants were inside the vehicle and were arrested without incident while officers secured the scene.
Police later determined the weapon was a pellet gun.
Two 17-year-old boys from Fort McMurray are now charged with multiple offences, including careless use of a firearm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, carrying a concealed weapon and unauthorized possession of a firearm.
The youths are also charged with unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle and possession of a firearm knowing its possession was unauthorized.
Both accused were released following judicial interim release hearings and are scheduled to appear in Fort McMurray youth court June 2.
RCMP say imitation and replica firearms can be difficult to distinguish from real weapons and continue to pose significant public safety concerns.
Police say all firearm-related calls are treated as high-priority incidents and officers responding must assume any weapon encountered is real.
Wood Buffalo RCMP are also reminding residents to report suspicious activity or crimes in progress to police or Crime Stoppers.
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