Police uncover sawed-off shotgun during traffic stop in Hamilton

A 37-year-old man from Hamilton is facing several charges after community members noticed a suspected impaired driver in their neighbourhood.

Hamilton police received reports around 5 a.m. of an impaired driver in the area of Barton St. East and Sanford Ave. North.

Officers were able to locate the suspicious vehicle and, after a small investigation, arrested the driver. Police found a sawed off shotgun as a result of a search of the vehicle.

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A 37-year-old man from Hamilton is charged with the following:

• Operation of a motor vehicle while impaired by drug
• Unauthorized possession of a firearm
• Knowledge of unauthorized possession of a weapon
• Occupant of a motor vehicle knowing there was a firearm
• Possession of a prohibited firearm
• 2 counts of failure to comply with a probation order

Police thank the members of the community who recognized the signs of an impaired driver and took action to report it to police

“By doing so, you helped stop a possible collision that could have injured or even killed someone,” police said.