Regina police surrounded a home Wednesday night to arrest a 31-year-old man following a stolen vehicle investigation and forcible confinement incident.
Matthew Stacey Bitternose of Regina was taken into custody after an officer located him trying to hide in a residence in the 400 block of King Street from police.
It all began after a police officer in the stolen auto unit discovered a white Ford truck parked outside a home in the 1300 block of King Street. The truck matched the description of a vehicle stolen the day before.
According to a release by the Regina Police Service, further investigation and the use of tactics led to the vehicle being abandoned in the 600 block of Queen Street.
Bitternose left the scene on foot and evaded a canine unit by disappearing into a back yard in the 400 block of King Street. The suspect demanded vehicle keys from the resident of the home at gunpoint before forcing him inside.
It’s alleged that Bitternose forced the first victim and three others into a bedroom by pointing a firearm and uttering threats.
Police surrounded the property and gained access to the residence before locating the suspect and arresting him without incident. Bitternose was carrying a loaded, 12-gauge homemade shotgun or zipgun.
Bitternose made his first appearance in provincial court on Thursday.
He is facing the following charges:
- Possession of Property obtained by Crime over $5,000 (truck);
- Break, Enter and Commit Robbery;
- 2 X Possession of a Weapon Dangerous to Public Peace;
- 4 X Use of a Firearm in the Commission of an Indictable Offence;
- Pointing a Firearm;
- Store Firearm Contrary to Regulations;
- Breach of Probation;
- Possession of Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized;
- Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Device;
- Possession of a Loaded Restricted Firearm;
- Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Weapon Obtained by Crime;
- Uttering Threats;
- Forcible Confinement;
- 3 X Pointing a Firearm; and
- 2 X Possession of a Firearm Contrary to Order.
