A Drumheller man is facing charges after the community of Newcastle was put on alert for a police operation on Friday afternoon, December 11.
Around 3 p.m., an Emergency Response Team and police dog service mustered at the Drumheller RCMP Detachment, and then travelled to Newcastle where an operation was undertaken by the team on 2nd Avenue. Police were responding to a complaint of threats.
Residents of the neighbourhood were asked to stay indoors and the public to stay away from the area. They also asked that residents not broadcast their activity on social media.
By 5:30 p.m., the police presence in the area had dwindled, and at 7:46 p.m. RCMP issued a press release noting they had taken a male into custody. Police seized a number of items including a sawed-off shotgun and an SKS rifle.
William Pickering, 34, of Drumheller was arrested and has been charged with three counts of unauthorized possession of a firearm, uttering threats to cause death/bodily harm, unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of stolen property, careless use/storage of a firearm and two counts of failing to comply with conditions of a release order. He will appear in provincial court in Drumheller on December 18
