Police say both modified weapons were loaded when they were taken from the suspects. (Nanaimo RCMP)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

sawed-off and loaded

RCMP seize two loaded guns in separate incidents in Nanaimo

Jun 16, 2022 | 1:22 PM

NANAIMO — Local Mounties removed two modified guns off the street, following two separate incidents occurring on the same day.

On Tuesday, June 14 shortly after 8 a.m., a bike patrol officer noticed several people sitting on the steps leading to the Nanaimo Military Museum on Cameron St. and approached the group.

Nanaimo RCMP Res. Cst. Gary O’Brien said the officer noticed something suspicious right away when speaking to one of them.

“They realized he probably had a stolen unique jeweller’s hammer on him, and then they realized very quickly, and reacted appropriately, that he had a concealed sawed-off rifle in his waistband,” O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW.

The suspect was arrested and police found 16 additional rounds of ammo, and a sawed-off single-shot .22 calibre rifle, which police said was loaded.

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O’Brien said the arrested suspect, 47-year-old Robert Anthony McGeorge of no fixed address, is facing charges for weapons offences, drug possession, breach charges, and also possessing break-in tools.

“He’s well-known to police up and down the Island and is looking at a multitude of charges. He was remanded into custody.”

McGeorge is also facing charges of assault and theft under $5,000 for a February 26, 2022 incident in Nanaimo.

His next court appearance is on June 21, 2022 for a bail hearing for both of those incidents, according to court records.

Later the same day around 3 p.m., police were called out to Rosamond St. near Robins Park for a man who appeared to be passed out behind the wheel of a vehicle.

“When they got there and they found this person, they roused him and realized he was probably impaired by drugs. A quick search found a multitude of drugs,” O’Brien said.

On the floor of the vehicle within arm’s length of the suspect was an open backpack containing a loaded sawed-off shotgun.

O’Brien said both incidents are disturbing.

“Unfortunately our officers are seeing more and more now, where criminals are arming themselves with these modified weapons either for intimidation, or to carry out their criminal activities.”

The 48-year-old suspect in the second incident is from Nanaimo, and was held in custody overnight and released the following day on a promise to appear with a pending court date for late July, 2022.

His name can’t be released as charges have not been formally laid.

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

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