Hamilton police arrest 19-year-old for prohibited driving, gun possession

Police say they’ve arrested a 19-year-old after a dramatic struggle at a townhouse complex on the Hamilton Mountain led to the seizure of a loaded gun.

Around 6:20 a.m. on Thursday morning, police responded to a complaint about a man sleeping in a pickup truck at a townhouse complex near Upper Wentworth Street and Stone Church Road East.

They discovered that the registered owner of the truck was a prohibited driver with a history of violence and fleeing from police.

Patrol units boxed in the vehicle before officers knocked on the window. When the man inside woke up, he attempted to escape and struck two police cars.

Police say they were forced to break the truck’s window to remove the driver and place him under arrest.

While conducting a search, officers say they found a loaded 9mm handgun with 10 rounds of ammunition in the center console.

Nation Onyia, 19, of Hamilton has been arrested and is facing the following charges:

• Unauthorized possession of a firearm
• Knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm
• Possession of a prohibited firearm
• Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
• Fail to comply with probation

Police say bail is being opposed.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Anmar El-Hassen of the Division 3 Criminal Investigations Branch at 905-546-8927.

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