Nanaimo RCMP say they arrested a man after finding him with weapons including a loaded sawed-off shotgun on Fifth Street on Tuesday.
The arrest occurred while officers on bicycles were patrolling parking lots due to a reported increase in loitering, trespassing and criminal activity, police said.
Officers encountered three individuals in the parking lot of the 7-11 on Fifth Street about 10:30 a.m., and recognized one of the men, who was known to be prohibited from possessing break-in tools.
As officers approached the man, they noticed he had a backpack with a large axe beside it.
They searched the backpack and the man’s clothing and found several more knives, a smaller axe and a loaded sawed-off shotgun, police said.
He was arrested for possessing the knives, axe and firearm and held in custody overnight.
Reserve Const. Gary O’Brien said officers are finding “more and more” modified and replica firearms, bear spray, knives and other weapons on a daily basis.
“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.”
Roddy Weidman, 29, of Nanaimo appeared in Nanaimo Provincial Court on Wednesday and was charged with firearms and weapons offences. He has been remanded into police custody to await his next court appearance, set for April 30.
