Two men who went into the woods behind Oriole Park with a pellet rifle found themselves face to face with the RCMP’s emergency response team early Wednesday afternoon.
The two men, who ended up handcuffed and arrested, were later released without charges — but not without creating quite a stir.
RCMP officers, the emergency response team and a dog unit were dispatched to the Maskepetoon woods after police got a report that two men were seen getting out of a silver car with what appeared to be a rifle just after noon. The men, wearing camouflage-like clothing, headed into the woods behind the homes.
The area was blocked off to the public and shortly before 1 p.m., a man wearing a green shirt and pants was brought out of the woods in handcuffs by police. A second handcuffed man wearing dark clothing was later put in a police cruiser.
While no charges were laid, police warn that city bylaws prohibit discharging within city boundaries any firearms, including any kind of air, BB, pellet and gas-powered guns, slingshots or any types of archery equipment. Fines range from $250 for a first offence up to $2,500.
During the incident, a neighbour who wandered onto his deck was warned that there were two armed men in the area and residents should stay inside. The homeowner relayed that message to neighbours who were outside trying to see what was going on.
At one point, a police cruiser roared down the park’s paved path and stopped before several people apparently out for stroll. They quickly left.
Three cruisers and a black SUV could be seen grouped around a path leading into the Maskepetoon Park woods.
Neighbours in the area had no clue what was going on. One said the park is sometimes used by partying youngsters and she thought that might have been what the commotion was about.