From Wetaskiwin RCMP:

Maskwacis RCMP members located a loaded homemade .22 calibre firearm on a suspicious male in Wetaskiwin on the morning of March 15.

Members of the Maskwacis Community Response Unit (CRU) were passing a commercial property in Wetaskiwin at around 9:30 a.m., when they noticed a suspicious male who appeared to be attempting to gain entry into a locked compound.

The male was detained and police located the homemade firearm on his person. Further searching revealed ammunition and supplies to construct another homemade firearm.

The male, 27-year-old Rawson Raine of Wetaskiwin, has been charged with 12 counts relating to the possession and unsafe storage of firearms. Raine was remanded for court in Wetaskiwin.

Members of the public are encouraged to report any suspicious activity or crime to local police. Cooperation between the RCMP and the public is instrumental to gathering intelligence and reducing crime.

The Maskwacis RCMP complaint line can be reached at 780-585-3767. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.