A Prince George man is facing a variety of charges after allegedly shooting guns in a rural gravel pit over the weekend.
Members of the province's Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit responded to a gravel pit on the Teardrop Forest Service Road May 16 after receiving a report shortly before 8 p.m. that a man already under investigation for possession of firearms and connections to organized crime was headed to that location.
When they arrived, they overheard bursts of gunfire, which officers determined was coming from at least one automatic weapon, said a press release from the enforcement unit.
Prince George RCMP officers and the North District RCMP police dog unit were called to assist. About an hour after the report came in, a man and two female passengers tried to leave in a vehicle towards a roadblock officers had set up.
"The man ignored police challenges and quickly drove off the road, blowing one of his rear tires after striking a culvert," said the release.
RCMP officers found the empty vehicle abandoned and a dog track was started, but called off because of dangers associated with firearm use and darkness.
Shortly after midnight, RCMP received a complaint that a man was hiding behind a postal box about two kilometres from where the vehicle was abandoned. A car was spotted leaving the area and when stopped, one of the passengers was recognized as an associate of the main suspect - who was later found hiding in the trunk.
"He refused command from officers and due to the possibility that he was in possession of guns, [police service dog] Baron was used to extricate him and he was eventually taken into custody, arrested and transported to hospital for treatment for dog bites," said the press release.
A search of the area and vehicle led to the recovery of six guns - including a .40 calibre Smith and Wesson pistol, a Kel Tec 9mm semi-automatic assault-style rifle and two 7.62mm SKS semi-automatic assault-style rifles - as well as numerous rounds of ammunition and several high-capacity magazines.
A total of five people were arrested.
Ryan John Moore was charged with obstructing a peace officer, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, and breach of recognizance for allegedly being out past his court-imposed curfew. No firearms-related charges were laid by the Crown pending further investigation and a forensic examination of the guns.
The two women and one of the men inside the second vehicle were released with no charges, pending further investigation. The other man inside the second vehicle was arrested and is still in custody on an unrelated charge.
