By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

‘Prolific’ Nanaimo criminal arrested with handgun

Jan 17, 2017 | 11:12 AM

NANAIMO — A man with a long list of offences is once again in police custody.

Kerry Chang, 49, was arrested by the Vancouver Island Emergency Response Team (ERT) on Saturday, Jan. 14, as well as two other passengers at the South intersection of the Nanaimo Parkway and Jingle Pot Rd.

A loaded semi-automatic Glock pistol was recovered as well as more than $7,000 in cash, knives and small baggies possibly filled with cocaine and meth, according to RCMP.

Constable Gary O’Brien, with the Nanaimo RCMP, said the ERT squad made the arrest given the RCMP’s history with Chang.

“Mr. Chang has a long documented history of violence, he’s designated as a prolific offender…and he’s known to use weapons,” O’Brien said. “We had information there may have been a loaded handgun in the car. For that reason, we utilized the ERT to make the arrest.”

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O’Brien said the arrests were made without incident.

Chang was remanded into custody, primarily for firearm related changes, and will make his first appearance at Nanaimo Provincial Court on Feb. 7.

The other two passengers were released on their own recognizance and are expected to make their first appearance in Nanaimo Provincial Court on Feb. 4 to answer for drug charges.