Impaired Driver Leads to Seizure of Loaded Firearm
An arrest of a 43-year-old man for impaired driving leads to police seizing a loaded firearm.
On Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at approximately 4:00 a.m. Hamilton Police responded to a possible impaired driver at a fast food restaurant on Cootes Drive. Upon arrival, police located a silver Jeep Grand Cherokee parked in the drive-thru with an unresponsive single passenger in the driver’s seat of the vehicle.
Police gained entry to the vehicle and checked on the wellbeing of the driver, who was hunched over and appeared sweaty. The driver eventually gained consciousness and was disoriented and unsteady on his feet.
Police arrested the 43-year-old man after locating drugs and evidence to support drug use.
During a search of the vehicle, police located the following;
- 20g of crystal methamphetamine
- 2 glass pipes with residue
- An unloaded Smith and Wesson M and P handgun
- Two magazines containing .45 calibre rounds
- 20 pills of oxycodone
Hamilton Police have charged 43-year-old, Frank Curto for the following;
- Operation while Impaired by drug
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm - Loaded
- Unsafe Storage
- Possession of a Restricted Firearm
- Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
- Possession of Firearm in Motor Vehicle
- CDSA 5(2) Methamphetamine
- CDSA 5(2) Oxycodone
- Possession of Proceeds of Crime under $5000.00
- Failure or Refusal to comply with Demand (Drugs)
Thank you to the members of the community that 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.
To provide information anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips online at http://www.crimestoppershamilton.com