Two charged, loaded firearm seized after stolen vehicle located in Waterloo

An Automated Licence Plate Recognition device is show in the image. (Source: OPP)

The Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) has laid multiple charges against a man and woman after a stolen vehicle was located and a loaded firearm was seized in Waterloo on Tuesday.

At around 10:35 p.m., officers conducting proactive patrols in the area of King Street South and William Street received an alert on the automated licence plate recognition (ALPR) system for a stolen grey Buick Regal.

Police confirmed the vehicle had been reported stolen and pulled the vehicle over near Victoria Street South and Park Street in Kitchener. Both the driver and passenger were arrested without incident.

A search of the vehicle led to the seizure of a loaded handgun, a knife, break-in tools and drugs, including suspected hydromorphone and benzodiazepine.

As a result of the investigation, a 40-year-old Hamilton man, the driver of the vehicle, was charged with several offences, including:

• Possession of Firearms Contrary to Prohibition Order
• Possession of Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order
• Careless Storage
• Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
• Carry Concealed Weapon
• Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
• Possession of Firearm Knowing Its Unauthorized (two counts)
• Unauthorized Possession in a Motor Vehicle
• Possession of Prohibited/Restricted Firearm with Ammunition
• Possession of Weapon Obtained by Commission of Offence
• Possession of Stolen Property over $5,000
• Possession of Break-in Instruments
• Possession of Schedule I Substance (five counts)

Police said the man was also wanted by WRPS for theft of a motor vehicle and dangerous operation of a conveyance in connection to an April 16, 2025 incident in Waterloo.

A 35-year-old London woman, the vehicle’s passenger, was also charged with:

• Occupant of Motor Vehicle Knowing There Was a Firearm
• Possession of Stolen Property over $5,000
• Possession of Break-in Instruments
• Possession of Schedule I Substance

Both individuals are also wanted by the London Police Service.

The accused were held in custody for a bail hearing.