A 51-year-old Nanaimo man remains in custody after being arrested for allegedly pointing a handgun at a stranger, with police reporting the seizure of multiple guns, ammo, and a pipe bomb from his home. (Nanaimo RCMP)

By NanaimoNewsNOW staff

notable bust

‘He pointed the gun…and then ran away:’ Nanaimo man facing multiple firearms charges, pipe bomb found in home

May 13, 2025 | 1:37 PM

NANAIMO — A local man is facing a number of firearm-related charges after he allegedly pointed a handgun at a total stranger in the city’s south end.

James Newstead, 51, is facing six charges, including pointing a firearm, possession of a weapon for dangerous purposes, and possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted weapon, after an incident on the evening of Friday, May 2.

Nanaimo RCMP Cst. Sherri Wade told NanaimoNewsNOW a man called 911 after having a handgun pointed at him while walking by another man near a south Nanaimo railway track.

Police quickly arrived on the scene, Wade stated.

“My understanding is it just happened on the street near a railway, and both gentlemen were just out walking, and the man with the handgun was acting peculiarly, and then he pointed the gun at the witness and ran away.”

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The suspect was arrested a short time later.

She said the suspect had a loaded handgun upon his arrest in the area of Fifth St. and Princess Ave.

Members of the Special Investigations Unit (SITE) entered his home with a search warrant a few days later.

“They (police) found multiple long guns, lots of rounds of ammunition and a pipe bomb,” said Wade. “Then they called the services of the RCMP Explosive Disposal Unit, and they were able to dispose of that pipe bomb without incident.”

Wade said neither man knew the other prior to the incident, and a bust of this size isn’t common, in her experience.

Newstead’s case was adjourned during a brief Tuesday, May 13, court appearance, with his next scheduled appearance set for May 28.

He’ll remain in custody indefinitely.

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