Three men are facing weapons charges following an active Stampede weekend for RCMP in Williams Lake.
In preparation for the weekend, police conducted checks on prolific and violent offenders within the city. As a result of these checks and active investigations, three Williams Lake men have been charged in two separate investigations.
On Friday June 30, members of the Cariboo Chilcotin Crime Reduction Unit in Williams Lake were making patrols on the Stampede grounds. The members observed two men, well known to the police, standing in the crowd. When these men saw the police officers, they began to walk away. The police felt one of the men was concealing a weapon. Further investigation revealed that the one man was in possession of a weapon.
Lawrence Norman Elkins, a 32-year-old Williams Lake man was arrested and charged with possession of a weapon and possession of weapon without a licence.
Elkins remains in custody and schedule to appear in Williams Lake Provincial Court on Wednesday July 12.
On Sunday July 2, at 11:30 a.m., Williams Lake police were patrolling the city when they came upon a group of people walking towards the Stampede grounds where people had gathered for a rodeo performance.
One of the men is a well-known prolific offender in the city and the police stopped to talk to the group.
When the police approached him, he became angry and belligerent. He took an aggressive stance and his body language led police to believe he may have had a weapon.
When the police called to the group to stop they continued walking and appeared to be ignoring the direction given by the police. For the safety of the public and the police, the man was searched and a weapon was found. He was arrested for possession of a weapon. The investigation led to the discovery of another man in the group to be in possession of other weapons. Charges have now been laid in connection with this investigation.
Brent Myles Adolph, a 30-year-old Williams Lake man has been charged with possession of weapon, possession of a prohibited weapon, and obstructing a police officer.
Blake Bob Johnny, a 24-year-old Williams Lake man has been charged with possession of a weapon, and possession of a prohibited weapon.
The Williams Lake RCMP uniform members, Crime Reduction Unit, General Investigation Section and Traffic Section worked strategically and systematically throughout one the busiest weekends, namely the Williams Lake Stampede,” said Insp Jeff Pelley, OIC Williams Lake Detachment.
The member presence combined with a core enforcement team focused on our prolific offenders and hot spots resulting in these successful charges against known offenders. We will continue to focus our strategies on violent offenders and those with unlawful access to weapons to ensure full accountability through the court system. ”
