Two people charged, loaded firearm seized from vehicle

Lethbridge Police have charged two males with firearms offences following a high-risk arrest that resulted in the seizure of a loaded gun.

On June 9, members of the Crime Suppression Team and Property Crimes Unit initiated a short term investigation to locate and arrest a male wanted on numerous outstanding warrants stemming from a previous home invasion robbery. The male was observed in the front passenger seat of a vehicle that parked in the alley along the 2500 block of 14 Avenue North. Based on the male’s violent history, members of the Tactical Team assisted with the arrest. As police approached the vehicle, the male fled on foot, running throughout a backyard and into the street where he was taken into custody. The driver of the vehicle and a backseat passenger were arrested without incident. 

During a search of the vehicle incidental to arrest, police seized a loaded firearm on the floor of the front passenger seat, additional ammunition and a large knife. 

Cole Randall Martin, 37, of Calgary, is charged with unauthorized possession of firearm, possession of a firearm obtained by commission of an offence, possession of a restricted weapon, careless storage of a firearm, possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition, resisting arrest, knowingly possessing a restricted firearm and four counts of failing to comply with a release order. 

Joshua Gilbert Eagleson, 33, of Lethbridge, is charged with unauthorized possession of a firearm in a vehicle, operating a motor vehicle while prohibited and failing to comply with a release order. 

Both males are currently in custody awaiting Judicial Interim Release hearings. 

The backseat passenger was released without charges.