April Fools saw less than amusing events in Nanaimo.
Between 12:30am and 3:30am on April 1st, Nanaimo RCMP went on a ‘policing blitz’ in the downtown core.
At around 3:15am, an officer pulled over a car that had its entire back window covered in tin foil. When approached, the driver reportedly had a knife beside him, alongside a bag of 4-5 cellphones and a number of small bags, assumedly of illegal drugs.
After the driver was arrested, a sawed off shotgun and a rifle were located in the backseat. The 29 year-old driver is facing multiple drug and firearms charges.
“Pro-active policing simply means it was initiated by the officer and was not complaint driven. The officer(s) while on patrol, saw something and reacted to it”, said Reserve Constable Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.
Other arrests included one at 1am, when a 32 year-old woman, known to police, was found in the vestibule of a local bank. She was wanted for an assault in 2022, and was taken to cells to await a bail hearing.
“Throughout the evening our officers commented that a number of people who were walking or driving by would shout out supportive comments to them, acknowledging their efforts in keeping them safe. These spontaneous gestures did not go unnoticed and were well received by our officers,” said O’Brien.
Around 2am, a 24 year-old man was arrested after not stopping for a stop sign or a red light. RCMP say he showed signs of alcohol impairment. He received a 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition, and a vehicle impoundment.
