Sault suspect arrested weeks after reported gun incident

A Sault Ste. Marie Police Service vehicle parked outside of the city's police services building. (File photo/Sault Ste. Marie Police Service)

A 43-year-old Sault Ste. Marie man is facing a raft of weapon and firearm-related charges following an investigation into an incident last month.

The charges stem from a report received by emergency services on Feb. 2. According to the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service, 911 operators received a report of someone in possession of a firearm in the 0-100 block of East Street.

“An investigation revealed the suspect – who officers identified as the accused – had a firearm or replica firearm in their possession and concealed it in their coat,” police said in a new release.

Following the investigation, investigators obtained a warrant for the suspect’s arrest.

Nearly three weeks later, officers located the man. Police said that around 1:50 a.m. on Feb. 25, officers who were attending an unrelated call for service encountered the accused and took him into custody on the strength of the outstanding warrant.

The accused has been charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, careless use of a firearm, weapon, prohibited device, or ammunition, and carrying a concealed weapon. He also faces three counts of failing to comply with a probation order and three counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition contrary to a prohibition order.

The accused was held in custody pending a bail hearing.