What started as a man on a bicycle refusing to stop for police ended in a large number of illegal firearms being taken off the street, and two people facing charges. 

The Winnipeg Police Service says that members of the WPS Guns and Gangs Unit "noticed a man on a bicycle darting in and out of traffic, narrowly avoiding collisions and causing motorists to swerve and brake" on Sunday evening.

Officers attempted to talk with the man, however, he fled on his bike. Police located the same man a short time later entering a yard in the 500 block of Maryland Ave. 

The WPS says that officers noticed a weapon in the man's waistband. He fled into a residence where officers followed him and took him into custody. A female inside the residence was also identified and taken into custody.

Police then applied for and received a warrant to search the residence. That search resulted in a number of weapons and drugs being taken off the streets.

That includes 11 improvised firearms, two of which were loaded, and a number of improvised firearm parts in various stages of completion. Police also seized one gram of methamphetamine.

A 27-year-old man and 38-year-old woman are facing numerous firearm and drug-related charges.

Gun crime rising dramatically

The WPS says violent crimes involving firearms are seeing a dramatic spike in the last two years not just in Winnipeg but across Canada. In 2014 there were 44 shootings in Winnipeg. In 2018 that number rose to 90. And in 2016 there were 773 firearms seized. In 2018 that rose to 1747.

The WPS says that homemade firearms, commonly called 'zip guns' are now the second most common seized crime gun. Sawed-off firearms are the most common. Seizures of zip guns increased from three in 2016 to 52 in 2018. In 2019 so far, 31 zip guns have been seized.

The WPS said in a release that "It is known that there are individuals in Winnipeg who are mass producing zip guns and selling them to those in the gang and drug sub-cultures."

Asking public for help

The WPS says that the public can play a role in helping curb gun violence. 

Police say that if you see what you believe to be a firearm in the care of someone or a firearm at a specific location, it should not be, call 911.   

The Winnipeg Police Service Firearms Investigative Enforcement Unit (F.I.E.U), is dedicated to investigating suspicious firearms activity and the illegal acquisition and possession of firearms. Members of the unit may be contacted at 204-986-3258 for further information.   

If you have information on any gun crime, you may contact Crime Stoppers at 786- TIPS (8477), where callers never have to reveal their identity. If your tip is helpful, you are eligible to receive an award up to $2,000.00 in cash.   

If you are the legal owner of firearms ensure they are stored safely and appropriately in a manner that complies with Federal regulation which applies both to firearms and ammunition.