Codiac RCMP arrest man for allegedly carrying replica handgun
RCMP initially arrest wrong man on Sunday, locate suspect in Champlain Mall parking lot
The Codiac RCMP has arrested a man for allegedly carrying a replica handgun on Sunday in downtown Moncton.
Staff Sgt. Eric Larose said police received a report from a witness about a young man with a handgun at around 11 a.m.
The police arrested a suspect matching the description in the Champlain Mall parking lot near Swiss Chalet.
No one was injured during the arrest, he said.
Larose said the suspect was arrested with what appeared to be an airsoft gun in his pants.
Airsoft guns are replica guns used to fire non-metallic pellets.
He said the man is under arrest and charges are pending, including for possessing a weapon.
Wrong suspect arrested
Larose said police initially arrested a suspect at the corner of Mechanic and Main streets.
But after further investigation, it turned out to be the wrong person.
That suspect was interviewed and released a few minutes later.
"At that time on Main Street, we didn't have that many people reported on a bicycle wearing a black hoodie," he said.
"And, unfortunately for him, he was fitting the description and that's why the members took all precautions and arrested that suspect," Larose said.