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A 16-year-old male youth has been arrested after he pointed a loaded handgun at an Edmonton Police officer.
The Edmonton Police Service Targeted Response to Auto-theft Prevention team (TRAP) made an arrest of a male youth in a stolen vehicle with a handgun last week.
On Dec. 15, at approximately 12:10 a.m., an Edmonton Police Service Targeted Response to Auto-theft Prevention team (TRAP) officer was driving an unmarked police vehicle in the area of Warwick Road and 119 Street when a Toyota Matrix displaying a stolen license plate was observed. A short time later, the driver of the Matrix ended up next to the unmarked police vehicle and pointed a handgun at the police officer.
A traffic stop was attempted by other police resources in the area, but the stolen vehicle fled the scene. Police continued to monitor the vehicle as it drove into Fort Saskatchewan, where it came to rest after hitting the garage door of a residence. The suspect was taken into custody by responding officers.
A loaded handgun was found in the driver’s waistband when he was arrested. The Matrix was indeed stolen, as well as the license plate.
“Stolen vehicles are very dangerous for the public and for our officers,” said TRAP Acting Staff Sergeant Ian Strom. “In this instance alone, a youth with no regard for public safety pointed a firearm at another motorist who happened to be a police officer. We are grateful for the prompt actions of our responding officers who were able to take the suspect into custody.”
A 16-year-old suspect was charged with 16 offences including pointing a firearm, possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm, prohibited firearm in vehicle, careless use / storage of a firearm, flight from officer and breach condition of a release order (x3).
Anyone with any information about this or any other crime is asked to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.p3tips.com/250.
