DIDSBURY - A 21-year-old Edmonton man is facing six charges, including possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, following his arrest in Didsbury Tuesday afternoon, say police.
The RCMP’s Southern Alberta District Crime Reductions Unit (SADCRU) officers located a stolen vehicle in Didsbury that was observed circling in downtown Didsbury at about 3 p.m., said RCMP Cpl. Gina Slaney.
The SADCRU received assistance from the RCMP Emergency Response Team, Didsbury RCMP, RCMP air service, and RCMP police dog services to assist in the execution of the arrest, she said.
“As this was considered a high-risk operation, at approximately 3 p.m. Didsbury RCMP initiated a hold and secure at all Didsbury schools,” she said. “This was done as a precaution to ensure that students would not be in the area at the time of the arrest.”
The suspect was found inside the stolen vehicle and found to be in possession of a modified prohibited firearm, ammunition for that firearm, bear spray, and an airsoft (non-firearm) handgun, she said.
At the time the accused was bound by a firearms prohibition order, she said.
Students were kept in classrooms for a brief time before being allowed to exit the schools.
Didsbury RCMP detachment commander Stephen Browne told the Albertan, “There was no threat to the schools or the student body. I just didn’t want them exposed to the operation, which had the potential of becoming dangerous.”
Jamie McConnell, 21, also faces charges of possession of a firearm knowing its possession was unauthorized, possession contrary to an order, unauthorized possession in a motor vehicle, possession of prohibited firearm with ammunition, and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
He has been remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear in Alberta Court of Justice in Didsbury on Oct. 30.
