Victoria police seized a replica handgun Friday afternoon after receiving a call about a man with a firearm downtown.
Police responded to the 900-block of Pandora Avenue just after noon on May 21 and arrested a suspect, but didn’t find the gun on him during a search. Police say after speaking with the man, they learned a replica gun was with his possessions nearby. Officers seized the replica and the man was released at the scene pending further investigation, VicPD said.
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“Patrol officers are encountering realistic replica firearms and real, functional, loaded firearms with increasing frequency,” a VicPD release said. “In order to keep the public safe, officers have to respond to firearms calls as though the weapon is a real, functional, loaded firearm until such time as they are able to determine otherwise.”
Anyone with information can contact VicPD at 250-995-7654, ext. 1, or report anonymously to Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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