On October 18, 2020, at approximately 2:45 a.m., Air1 was on a routine flight when the crew observed a Jeep travelling at a high rate of speed travelling north on Osborne Street from Broadway. The vehicle made its way to a residence in the West End, where it stopped. A male approached carrying what appeared to be a rifle. The male with the gun then got into a Volvo sedan parked nearby, which sped off. Air1 requested WPS ground units stop the vehicle.
General Patrol Units stopped the Volvo in the 1200 block of Logan Avenue. At this point, a passenger exited the vehicle and fled on foot; however, the car sped off. General Patrol officers were able to arrest the fleeing male after a brief chase.
Air1 observed the car lose control on Worth Street at Logan Avenue, where the driver and the second passenger fled on foot. Air1 was able to direct ground units to the armed male, who was safely taken into custody. Officers seized a 5.56 mm assault-style rifle during the arrest.
Matiwos Eyasu GHEREZGHAIR, 26, of Calgary, was charged with:
- Resist Peace Officer
- Possess Weapon
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle
- Possession of a Prohibited/Restricted Firearm with Ammunition
Efren GEZEHEY, 23, of Calgary, was charged with:
- Possess Weapon
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle
- Possession of a Prohibited/Restricted Firearm with Ammunition
Both accused were detained in custody.