On June 5, 2024, at approximately 1:38 PM, members of the Sarnia Police Emergency Response Team and the Major Case Action Team executed a targeted high-risk traffic stop in the area of Walnut Ave South and Kathleen Ave, Sarnia.
During the execution of the stop, the driver attempted to flee, striking a parked car and damaging a police vehicle. Despite the attempt to escape, the driver and the passenger were apprehended without further incident.
The driver, currently on federal parole for firearms possession and drug trafficking, was found to have a loaded .40 caliber handgun in the vehicle. The passenger, a young offender, was found with a substantial quantity of cocaine, oxycodone pills, and drug trafficking paraphernalia.
A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of:
· A loaded .40 caliber handgun with 10 rounds of hollow-point ammunition
· 47.4 grams of cocaine
· 6.5 oxycodone pills
· $1540.00 in cash
The street value of the controlled substances seized is approximately $5640.00.
The suspect, 28 years old, of Toronto faces multiple charges, including:
· Possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine
· Possession of a controlled substance
· Unauthorized possession of a firearm
· Possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition
· Possession of a prohibited firearm contrary to a prohibition order
· Possession of a prohibited device
· Carrying a concealed weapon
· Unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle
· Prohibited driving
· Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
The second accused, a 17 year old young person of Toronto (name withheld pursuant to the Youth Criminal Justice Act), faces similar charges, including:
· Possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine
· Possession of a controlled substance
· Unauthorized possession of a firearm
· Possession of a prohibited device
· Possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition
· Unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle
· Carrying a concealed weapon
Both suspects are being held pending a bail hearing.
“This arrest again highlights that criminal activity is not constrained by municipal boundaries. It also demonstrates the real dangers our officers (and the public) face with illegal firearms in our community. We respond to these elevated risks by providing our officers with modern equipment, enhanced training, and the deployment of specialized teams such as the SPS Emergency Response Unit (ERT). This safely executed arrest was the 35th deployment of SPS ERT since January of this year.” - Chief Derek Davis