Loaded rifle seized after Orillia gun sightings

Police seized a loaded rifle and charged a Scarborough teen with firearms offenses after responding to a gun sighting in the city’s north end.

Shortly after 11 p.m. on Oct. 23, Orillia OPP received a report that one of several males walking together in the area of Victoria Park was carrying a long gun.

It was then reported that the male may have thrown away the gun and fled the area, police said.

A second caller reported that four males had run out of a residence on Coldwater Road and that one was carrying a rifle.

Officers responded immediately, locating and seizing a .22-calibre rifle.

“It was loaded,” Const. Ted Dongelmans told Simcoe.com.  

A male who matched a detailed description of the suspect was located a short distance away, OPP said.

A 19-year-old Scarborough man was arrested and charged with unauthorized possession of a firearm, careless use of a firearm and possession of weapon for dangerous purpose.

The investigation is continuing.

“The circumstances surrounding why he (allegedly) had a gun or what may have transpired prior to that are not known,” Dongelmans said