Semi-automatic and sawed-off rifles seized in 'high risk' arrest of 4 men in southeast Calgary
Four men were arrested during what police described as a high-risk vehicle stop that turned up a semi-automatic rifle, a sawed-off pistol grip rifle along with ammunition, officials say.
Police were called on June 17 just before 11 a.m. for reports that four men carrying weapons were seen at a convenience store in northeast Calgary getting into a dark-coloured Honda Accord and driving away.
Members of the gang suppression unit happened to be nearby providing "heightened public safety" while a funeral was taking place for Rinato Toy, said Staff Sgt. Mark Hatchette of the Calgary Police Service strategic enforcement unit.
The 22-year-old man, who was well known to police, was gunned down at a basketball court earlier this month.
The gang unit was alerted about the suspicious Honda and spotted a car matching the description in the 1700 block of Stoney Trail S.E. at about 12:30 p.m. and conducted a "high-risk traffic stop," police said in a release.
The Honda had a "funeral" tag on its windshield at the time of the traffic stop.
A search of the vehicle revealed a Russian-made SKS semi-automatic rifle loaded with 16 rounds of 7.62 x 39 ammunition in a guitar case, as well as a loaded, sawed-off pistol-grip rifle with a .22 round in the chamber in a backpack, police said.
The four men in the car were arrested without incident and charged with numerous weapons-related offences.
"Any time you see weaponry of this type in the hands of people that are known to the police, it's very, very important that we take them off the street," Hatchette said.
Joseph Wol, 50, Achol Jal, 20, Tong Mawiir Tong, 21, and Achuil Chol, 30, were charged with two counts each of carrying a concealed weapon, possession of an unauthorized weapon, hazardous storage of a firearm and having a prohibited firearm with ammunition.
Tong was also charged in connection to six outstanding warrants, while Chol was also charged with three counts of possession of a weapon contrary to an order.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to call police on the non-emergency line at 403-266-1234 or contact Crime Stoppers.
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