Regina police lay weapons charges after pair of arrests

Two men are facing numerous weapons charges after a pair of arrests in Regina on Sunday.

At about 5:30 p.m., in the area of Fifth Avenue and Athol Street, an officer saw a man riding a bike that matched the description of one that had been stolen Friday.

When other officers stopped the cyclist near Fifth and Elphinstone Street, they saw what appeared to be a handgun in his open backpack and a hunting knife on his person.

After he was arrested, a search found seven knives, bear spray, a pellet gun with a magazine, a magazine for a .22-calibre gun, and substances believed to be methamphetamine and fentanyl.

The 31-year-old man was charged with 10 counts each of carrying a concealed weapon and possession of a weapon for a purpose dangerous to the public peace, two counts of possession of a scheduled substance, and one count each of possession of break-in instruments, possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, possession of a firearm or ammunition contrary to a prohibition order and failure to comply.

Meanwhile, a 49-year-old man is facing charges after police saw him in a stolen vehicle Sunday at about 5:15 p.m., in the 1400 block of Rae Street.

After the vehicle was parked in the 1100 block of Garnet Street, officers closed in.

A subsequent search found a backpack in the vehicle with numerous guns inside, as well as ammunition in the driver’s possession.

He faces seven charges of possession of a firearm or ammunition contrary to a prohibition order, two charges each of possession of a weapon, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, and one charge each of possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized, unauthorized possession of a prohibited device/ammunition in a motor vehicle, and careless storage of a firearm.

Both men appeared in court Monday.