Nanaimo RCMP caught up to a man who allegedly broke into a barn south of the city, then fled in his vehicle. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

tense situation

Fake gun used in barn break-in draws real response from Nanaimo RCMP

Jun 13, 2022 | 11:20 AM

NANAIMO — A fake firearm has caused a heavy police presence.

Police were called to a Maughan Rd. property, south of Nanaimo on Tuesday, June 7 around 1:30 p.m. after the home owner reported being threatened by a large handgun from someone who had tried to break into their barn.

Reserve Cst. Gary O’Brien stated the man left the scene in an older model grey Jeep but officers were able to track him down a short time later. A first attempt to stop the vehicle failed.

“The driver, later identified as a 34-year-old man, refused to stop and sped off. A short time later another officer came upon the vehicle and noted that it was weaving and driving directly at his police vehicle. The suspect vehicle crashed into the front grill of the officer’s vehicle causing the officer’s airbags to deploy.”

The man arrested, Christopher Bergsma was severely cut on his forehead during the crash.

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Police searched the car following the arrest and found a replica .357 Magnum handgun, which was actually a Remington BB gun.

Power tools, later determined to be from the barn Bergsma was allegedly seen in, and a crack pipe were also confiscated.

Bergsma remains in police custody and is facing new charges of break and enter, possession of break in tools, dangerous driving, failing to stop and four counts of breaching a court order for the incident.

He was also wanted in Sidney and Saanich for other driving-related incidents.

O’Brien said real or not, their response to calls involving firearms must be swift and immediate.

“A firearm is considered a firearm if its (shoots) 500 feet per second, this replica BB gun fires pellets at 400 feet per second, so it’s extremely dangerous in the wrong hands,” O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW.

O’Brien added quickly apprehended the suspect was vital as he was clearly presented an elevated public safety risk.

“His behaviour was erratic, he was prepared to do anything to get away. We can only imagine what would have happened if he had pointed that firearm at one of our officers.”

Replica firearms are found more often on local streets, whether possessed by criminals or simply by youth trying to impress their friends, O’Brien noted.

He said police will always treat incidents such as this as involving a live firearm, sometimes with “tragic consequences”.

Bergsma next appears in court on Tuesday, June 14.

The replica firearm confiscated by Nanaimo RCMP after they arrested a man facing multiple break-in and driving charges. (Nanaimo RCMP)

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