JUST after noon on June 24, Langley RCMP received a report of an erratic driver traveling eastbound in a Mazda on Highway 1 and the male was now sleeping in a Mazda Protégé in the 19800-block of 86th Avenue. Police determined the license plates on the vehicle were stolen from Surrey and the vehicle was possibly associated to a Vancouver investigation where the occupant of the vehicle as seen with a handgun.

A plan was devised to safely arrest the suspect that included Langley Strike Force, General Duty, Fraser Valley IRSU, Air 1, Lower Mainland Police Dog Services and members of CFSEU Uniform Gang Enforcement Team. Police vehicles were strategically parked to block the driver from fleeing and distraction devices were deployed by CFSEU but were ineffective in waking the driver. Police broke the passenger side window and deployed a Taser. The suspect was eventually compliant and taken into custody.

A search of the vehicle revealed a black CO2 powered handgun capable of shooting rubber rounds, a long hunting knife, a substance believed to be cocaine, a stun gun and credit card information belonging to various people.

Langley Strike Force has retained conduct of the investigation. Andy Emre Gencoglu, 19, of Vancouver has been charged with possession of a prohibited weapon, one count of possession of an imitation weapon dangerous to the public peace and possession of identity documents relating to another person. He has been remanded in custody and is appearing in Surrey Provincial Court on July 3.

Through the co-ordinated efforts of all the teams involved, this matter ensured a potentially violent situation concluded in a safe and successful manner, said Cpl. Holly Largy.