Police arrest “prolific offender” with illegal firearm at traffic stop

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Police officers say a “prolific offender” has been arrested and now remains in police custody after being caught at a traffic stop.

According to the Fort St. John RCMP detachment, the traffic stop occurred at 2:44 a.m. Friday, December 20th, on the 10800 block of Alaska Road North.

The vehicle that was stopped was believed to have been involved in a recent flight from police incident.

“During the investigation, the suspected driver that recently fled from police was located in the vehicle,” a press release from the detachment reads. “The man was arrested for the recent flight from police and on outstanding warrants.”

The man’s vehicle was ultimately impounded. A sawn-off shotgun was found inside. 

The man, Kelly Shular, was both prohibited from driving and from owning firearms at the time of his arrest. Police say additional charges were added as a result, with more new charges still being sought.

“Kelly Shular is a known prolific offender with a history of unlawfully possessing weapons and driving while prohibited,” explains Constable Chad Neustater.

“A proactive traffic stop by one of our officers, led to getting a prohibited weapon out of the hands of the criminal element and keeping our community safer.”

Shular is facing the following charges:

• Flight from police
• Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
• Careless storage of a firearm
• Possessing a prohibited firearm without a registration certificate
• Occupying a vehicle knowing there was a prohibited firearm in the vehicle
• Possessing a loaded prohibited firearm without authorization
• Possessing a prohibited firearm knowing that he was not the holder of a license
• 2 counts of driving while prohibited under the Motor Vehicle Act
• Two counts of failure to comply with a probation order
• Three counts of possessing a firearm while prohibited

Officers say Shular is being kept in police custody until he can be brought before a judge for these charges.