BOYLE – A 40-year-old Lac La Biche man who police say was driving a stolen vehicle and had eight loaded and unloaded firearms on him when he was arrested, now faces 50 charges.
A June 13 press release reports that Boyle RCMP received a June 7 complaint of a man carrying a firearm near Long Lake, 23 kilometres south of the Village of Boyle — when they responded he was not on the scene. Further investigation determined he had fired a shot at a closed gas station and a description of him and the vehicle he was driving was sent to nearby detachments.
A short time later, Redwater RCMP noticed the vehicle, which fled when they tried to initiate a traffic stop. However, it ran out of gas a few minutes later and Sonny Ray Giant, 40, of Lac La Biche was taken into custody without incident.
Police say the vehicle was identified as being stolen earlier in the evening within Thorhild County and a search revealed three loaded and five unloaded firearms which had all been taken during a break and enter near Smoky Lake the day before.
Giant has been charged with 50 offences including firearms offences, possession of stolen property, flight from police, failing to comply with release conditions and failing to comply with weapon prohibition orders.
“This is a great example of two detachments working together to bring a quick and safe end to a dangerous situation," said Redwater RCMP Detachment Commander Sgt. Jeff Sehn in the press release.
