A 32 year-old Regina male is facing charges after an incident yesterday morning (August 13th) in which a caller to police indicated seeing a man with what appeared to be a handgun outside a business in the 800 block of Albert Street. Even though further investigation revealed the weapon to be a BB gun, the male is facing two Criminal Code charges.
Police were dispatched to the 800 block of Albert Street on Thursday, August 13, 2015, at approximately 9:35 a.m. An employee at a business on the block indicated she had seen a male seated at the back of her place of employment. The male was clad only in his undershorts, with clothing spread around him and had what appeared to be a handgun. The employee went inside, called 9-1-1 and locked the doors of the business until police arrived. The male had left the area, but police were able to locate him at a nearby business. The officers took him into custody without incident and found what appeared to be handgun tucked in the front waistband of his pants. The “gun” was actually an Airsoft/BB gun. The male was subsequently charged.
Thirty-two year-old Jesse Colin COULSON, DOB: 1983-04-03, of Regina, is charged with carrying a Concealed Weapon [90 CC] and Possession of a Weapon Dangerous to Public Peace [88 CC]. COULSON was released on an undertaking to appear in Provincial Court at 9:30 a.m. on September 22, 2015.
The Regina Police Service commends the individual who contacted police for her quick thinking and her efforts to secure her place of business, and those inside, in the face of a potentially serious threat. Police also remind the public that displaying any type of imitation firearm in public will prompt an immediate response from police. Until police know what the weapon is, it will be treated as if it’s a real firearm. And even if the “gun” turns out to be an imitation, serious criminal charges may result. Fake gun = real consequences. The public is encouraged to report suspicious activity to police by calling 306-777-6500. In an emergency, call 9-1-1.