A Thunder Bay Police Service officer made a traffic stop just after 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 2 on Fort William Road between 11th and Central Avenues after seeing a suspicious vehicle with its rear window covered in snow.
The driver did not have a licence, and upon further investigation the officer learned he was a suspended driver.
Police later obtained and executed a search warrant on the vehicle and located a loaded handgun with the serial numbers scratched off and some loose ammunition. Police also seized nearly $8,500 in Canadian currency.
Multiple mobile phones and a digital scale were also observed inside the vehicle.
Further investigation revealed the arrested driver was connected with a Toronto gang.
Anthony Omar TALBERT, 25, of Scarborough, Ont., has been charged with:
• Unauthorized Possession of Firearm – Licence
• Tamper with Serial Number of Firearm
• Possession of Firearm Knowing Serial Number Has Been Tampered With
• Unauthorized Possession of Firearm in Motor Vehicle
• Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of Weapon
• Unauthorized Possession of Prohibited or Restricted Weapon
• Prohibited or Restricted Firearm: With Ammunition
• Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of Weapon
• Careless Transportation: Firearm, Weapon, Restricted Weapon, Prohibited Device or Ammunition
• Prohibited or Restricted Firearm: With Ammunition
TALBERT appeared in court this morning and has been remanded into custody.