The Regina Police Service has laid charges against six males; four of them adults and two young persons; after a high-risk search warrant was executed last night on a house in the 1500 block of Rae Street. This warrant was obtained to search the house for firearms as the result of ongoing investigation. The possibility of firearms led to the request for, and authorization of, a call-out of Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team members and the use of two Tactical Armoured Vehicles (TAVs).
A number of people were removed from the house and detained. There were no injuries as the result of this operation. Further investigation led to firearms-related charges against five individuals; one was charged with a breach of a curfew. Police located and seized a long-barrelled firearm and two machetes in the search.
The accused and their charges are as follows:
– A 15 year-old male, whose named cannot be released in accordance with the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act;
– A 16 year-old male, whose named cannot be released in accordance with the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act;
– Eighteen year-old Keegan PANIPEKEESICK, DOB: 1995-10-05, of no fixed address;
– Twenty year-old Andrew Michael BELLEGARDE, DOB: 1993-06-01, of Regina, and
– Thirty-five year-old Gordon Roy BELLEGARDE, DOB: 1978-07-25, of Regina.
All of the accused are jointly charged with Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm [91(1) CC] and Careless Use of a Firearm [86(1) CC]. In addition, Andrew Michael BELLEGARDE was charged with Possession of Firearm Contrary to Order [117.01(1) CC]. The adults appeared in Provincial Court at 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 28, 2014, on these charges. The youths appeared in Youth Court at 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 28, 2014.
Eighteen year-old Aaron Terrance Andrew HOTOMANI, DOB: 1995-05-05, of Regina, was charged with Breach of a Curfew. HOTOMANI was released on an officer’s undertaking to appear in Provincial Court on May 13, 2014.