Strathmore RCMP received a complaint on February 27 about firearms offenses happening in rural Alberta.

According to the RCMP, evidence showed that a male was video recording shooting out of moving vehicles and shooting near roadways with handguns and long guns.

Southern Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit took over the investigation and identified the male in the recordings as a 20-year-old resident of Lethbridge. 

On March 8, with the assistance of the Lethbridge Police Service and the Lethbridge Police Tactical Unit, a search warrant was executed on a residence in the 100 block of 5 Street S in Lethbridge.

A loaded handgun and shotgun were located inside the home.

20-year-old Nicholas Bastarache, a resident of Lethbridge was arrested and charged with the following offenses:

  • Careless Use of a Firearm;
  • Unsafe Storage of a Firearm;
  • Firearm: knowledge of unauthorized possession;
  • Possession of a Weapon Obtained by Crime;
  • Possession of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle;
  • Possession of a Weapon for Dangerous Purpose;
  • Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with ammunition without license;
  • Carrying a concealed weapon;
  • Possession for trafficking CDSA (x4)

Bastarache is scheduled to appear in Strathmore court on May 21.

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