Prince George RCMP are giving an alert bystander credit for helping police track down a man now facing a handful of firearms charges.
Johnny James Boys, 26, remained in custody Thursday on counts of carrying a concealed weapon, possessing a prohibited weapon without a licence, possessing a weapon dangerous to the public peace, possessing a firearm for the purpose of transferring it and failing to report a found firearm.
Boys was arrested Tuesday night shortly after a driver of a suspicious pickup sped away when police tried to pull it over near Fifth Avenue and Tabor Boulevard. The driver ran a red light while heading east on Fifth and RCMP did not pursue due to safety concerns.
But moments later, a witness called RCMP to say a man was seen taking bikes and other items out of a pickup and stashing them in the wooded area of a local park on Gillett Street.
RCMP responded and arrested Boys. Police said he was found in possession of a stolen firearm while the pickup and other item were seized as part of the investigation.
RCMP said Boys has a history of police involvement in Terrace, Dease Lake and Prince George as well as in Alberta. In October, he was issued a one-year driving prohibition for driving while prohibited or licence suspended under the Motor Vehicle Act.
