By James Peters/CFJC Today

Cariboo crime

Gang activity on the rise in Williams Lake: RCMP

May 13, 2021 | 6:34 PM

WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. — RCMP in Williams Lake say a weapons-related investigation early Thursday (May 13) is an indication of the increasing gang tension in the city.

In a news release, RCMP say they were called to a home in the 600-block of Atwood at about 5:19 a.m. Thursday. The caller reported seeing two men get out of a truck at that location, go into the house, then exit a short time later, with one apparently carrying a long gun.

Officers responded and located a suspect vehicle, but it sped away. For public safety reasons, the officers decided not to pursue it.

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Not long after, Mounties located the suspect vehicle parked in a driveway of a home in the 600-block of Winger Road. Police say the home is known for its association with criminal activity.

Mounties had the occupants of the home exit one at a time. Six people were held while investigators worked at the scene.

Staff Sgt. Del Byron, the acting officer in charge of the Williams Lake RCMP detachment, says both homes are known for gang affiliations.

“Gang tension and activity has increased in Williams Lake over the past three months, making it a strategic priority for the detachment to target these groups,” said Byron in the news release.

Byron encourages anyone who sees anything suspicious related to violence or gang activity to call 9-1-1, and not to try to intervene directly.