Port Moody traffic stop leads to arrest and weapons charges

A traffic stop in Port Moody led to a weapons seizure and criminal charges against a Pitt Meadows resident.

Around 9:15 pm on Monday, a Port Moody Police officer observed a grey Dodge Journey make an “unusual” left turn at the intersection of Murray Street and Ioco Road.

Despite the dark and rainy conditions, the vehicle also appeared to be travelling without any headlights or taillights on.

In a release issued on Wednesday, police said the officer noticed that the vehicle had an expired out-of-province license plate that was previously registered to an entirely different vehicle as well.

A traffic stop was conducted and the vehicle’s occupants denied ownership of it.

Unsuccessful attempts to contact the rightful owner led the officer to believe the vehicle may be stolen, and as a result, the pair were removed from the vehicle and arrested without incident.

Vehicle searched, weapons found

A subsequent search of the vehicle yielded the discovery of 10 rounds of 12-gauge shotgun ammunition in the centre console. A sawed-off shotgun was found in the rear storage compartment as well.

The investigators also found several items of identification that were determined to not belong to either occupant.

As a result of the traffic stop, Pitt Meadows resident Catlin James Harlow was charged with two firearms offences and one count of possession of another person’s Identity Documents.

The passenger was released without charges.

The vehicle was seized by police who are still investigating to find out who the vehicle belongs to.