Handgun seized, 3 charged in robbery on Ontario First Nation

A Nishnawbe Aski Police Service vehicle is shown in this undated image. (File photo/Nishnawbe Aski Police Service/Facebook)

Police have charged three men, including one from southern Ontario, following a weekend robbery involving a handgun in a northwestern Ontario community.

Members of the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service working out of the Constance Lake First Nation detachment received a call for service regarding a disturbance possibly involving a firearm in the early morning hours of June 20.

“Officers were dispatched to a residential address in the zero-to-100 block of Ma-chitch Crescent with support from frontline members of the OPP,” police said in a news release Tuesday.

Members of the First Nation police service’s emergency response team and canine unit, along with several OPP teams, including their canine unit, were also dispatched.

Ongoing investigation

“As a result of continued investigation, police learned a robbery had taken place involving weapons, including a firearm,” said police.

Nishnawbe Aski police said three male suspects were identified and that investigators also learned a man, who was not present at the scene when officers arrived, had sustained injuries during the incident.

All three suspects were located within the community over the course of the day and taken into custody.

“Further investigation led police to locate and seize a loaded handgun believed to be connected to this incident,” said police.

“The investigation remains ongoing.”

Charges laid

A 20-year-old man from Ajax, along with two local men, ages 32 and 33, were all charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

The Ajax man also faces charges of robbery using a firearm, pointing a firearm, handling a firearm in a careless manner, unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm, obstructing a peace officer, uttering threats, one other weapon offence and failing to comply with a release order.

The 32-year-old faces additional charges of robbery with violence and obstructing a peace officer, while the 33-year-old is also charged with robbery with violence and failing to comply with an undertaking.

All three accused appeared for a bail hearing on June 21 and were remanded into custody with future court dates.