Burnaby RCMP collected knives, bear spray and a replica handgun during three traffic stops in less than two hours last Friday.
At about 5 p.m., patrol officers spotted a vehicle speeding near Marine Drive and Strathearn Avenue, according to an RCMP press release.
They pulled it over, and one of the three men inside told them he was carrying a knife, police said.
“A subsequent detention and search of the three men resulted in officers locating a knife and a can of bear spray,” stated the release. “With no bears in the area, the three men relinquished the weapons and were released from the scene.”
Forty-five minutes later, officers saw a vehicle they suspected was being used for drug dealing in the area of Beresford Street and McKay Avenue.
No drugs were found, but officers did locate evidence associated with a dial-a-dope trafficking operation, according to police, as well as two folding knives.
One hour later, just before 7 p.m., officers stopped vehicle speeding on Kingsway Avenue at Russell Avenue.
A check of the vehicle revealed the owner had a history of committing break and enters, according to police.
Both men in the car got out as officers approached, and one of them was observed to have a knife in the waistband of his pants, police said.
A subsequent search also turned up a replica handgun.
“The proactive work done by our Community Response Team officers is instrumental in disrupting criminal activity in Burnaby,” Insp. Kathy Hartwig said in the release. “In just two hours, our officers took dangerous weapons off our streets and ensured that known criminals were aware of how proactive the Burnaby RCMP Community Response Team is in ensuring our City is kept safe.”
