Handgun Seized in Traffic Stop

A routine traffic stop by officers led to the recovery of a loaded handgun and ammunition.

On August 22, after 7 p.m., Traffic Services Constables William Niziol and Kristen Haig-Brown were in a marked vehicle travelling westbound on the Gardiner Expressway near Park Lawn Rd. when they saw a car that had its reverse lights on.

When it appeared the driver was reluctant to pass their police scout vehicle, the officer slowed down and allowed the Pontiac to pass him. At that point, the vehicle quickly went across three lanes to exit at Kipling Ave.

“We decided it was a mechanical or sobriety issue and we should investigate,” said Niziol, who joined the Service 13 years ago.

The officers pulled the vehicle over on the Kipling Ave. off ramp. When they ran the licence plate, they found that the registered owner of the 2006 vehicle was prohibited from carrying firearms.

“During a brief conversation with the driver and passenger, shotgun ammunition was plainly visible in the console,” said Niziol, who is also a trained Commercial Truck Inspector. “We detained both of them until we could identify who they were.”

The driver and passenger were investigated and a further search found a loaded 25-calibre Beretta handgun under the driver’s seat.

The driver, 42-year-old Shane Bujan, was not the registered owner. However, he was prohibited from carrying firearms and ammunition and was arrested without incident.

Police alleged they found a loaded 25-calibre Beretta under the driver’s seat.

Both the driver and passenger face firearms possession charges.

22 Division Constable Mark Bernard also attended the scene as there was a quantity of drug paraphernalia, including needles, in the vehicle that required further investigation.

Acting Superintendent Matt Moyer noted that the officers kept their awareness levels high, resulting in a gun off the streets.

“The officers here don’t limit their skill set to just traffic enforcement,” the Traffic Services Unit Commander said. “They always seem to view every interaction with a wider lens.”