A replica handgun seized during a routine traffic stop “looks and feels” like a real gun, say New Westminster police.
New Westminster police seized a replica handgun from a motorist during a routine traffic stop early Monday morning.
A member of the New Westminster Police Department was patrolling the city around 1 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 11 when he noticed inconsistencies with a license plate on a vehicle. He pulled the vehicle over to confirm the driver had a valid licence and the vehicle had insurance.
After speaking with the driver and checking additional vehicle information, the officer determined the vehicle didn’t have insurance and was displaying the wrong license plate.
According to a NWPD press release, the officer then saw a firearm under the driver’s seat, at which point the driver was taken into custody. Upon closer inspection, it was determined the firearm was a replica.
“Our members are constantly reacting to dynamic situations where quick -thinking and judgment are required to safely resolve any given situation,” police spokesperson Sgt. Sanjay Kumar said in a press release.
Kumar later told the Record the replica gun looks identical to a real Beretta firearm.
“I can say that I handled the firearm our members seized and looks and feel like a real gun,” he said. “It’s unclear what this person’s intentions were, but we’re glad we were able to take this gun off the streets.”
Kumar said no charges are being recommended against the 31-year-old Vancouver resident at this time.
Anyone with information on illegal activity in their neighbourhood is asked to contact the New Westminster Police Department at 604-525-5411.
