Montreal Future Shop robbed by Garda impersonators

[Cloud Cover]

Eight people arrested for robbery allegedly involving fake security guards 15 minutes ago

MONTREAL (CP) - Eight people were arrested Wednesday for a daring robbery that involved fake security guards taking advantage of a crowded electronics store on Boxing Day.

The heist was pulled off with such expertise that store employees didn't realise they had been robbed until well after.

Police say thieves dressed in the uniforms of a well-known security company walked into a downtown Future Shop teeming with Boxing Day bargain hunters.

Then they faked the paperwork for what was a scheduled cash pickup and made off with an unspecified amount, although the store claimed record sales on Dec. 26.

On Tuesday, a witness called police after spotting what appeared to be a handgun on the seat of a car.

After trailing the vehicle to a quiet residential neighbourhood, members of Montreal's police SWAT squad searched a home and discovered fake guns that led them to the crime.

Officers also arrested an individual in a car where they found $35,000 cash, weapons, security guard uniforms and other equipment.

The other arrests followed. The eight suspects range in age from 25 to 60 years old.

Even police were willing to admit the robbery was on the verge of being a perfect crime.

"It was actually pretty well set up, I would say," police spokesperson Raphael Bergeron said. "But obviously they made a mistake and were caught."

A spokeswoman for Garda security says it's not yet clear if uniforms and equipment from her firm were used in the robbery.

The Montreal-based security firm says it's co-operating with police and has procedures in place to protect its customers.

Copyright © 2005 Canadian Pres

 

[Infanteer]

Montreal's police SWAT squad searched a home and discovered fake guns

We'll have to ban those too!!!  :tsktsk:

 

[Mike Bobbitt]

Actually replicas are already banned unless (ironically) they are operable firearms. I had a link to the firearms regulations that I'll try to dig up, but as I recall, it was not only confusing but contradictory in this area.

 

[Mike Bobbitt]

http://www.cfc-ccaf.gc.ca/info_for-renseignement/factsheets/visitin_e.asp

Replica firearms, except for replicas of antique firearms, are prohibited and cannot be brought into Canada. Replica firearms are devices that look exactly or almost exactly like a real firearm but that cannot discharge a projectile or that can only discharge harmless projectiles. As a rule, to be prohibited, a device must closely resemble an existing make and model of firearm, not just a generic firearm. Many of these devices have to be assessed case by case.

 

[Thompson_JM]

so then technically Airsoft is illigal since the airsoft guns are a 1 : 1 scale of accuall firearms. or does that orange tip grant them imunity?

 

[Mike Bobbitt]

Airsoft is explicitly phohibited, but the orange paint muddies the issue:

http://www.cfc-ccaf.gc.ca/info_for-renseignement/factsheets/airguns_e.asp

3. Air guns that are replica firearms

These are air guns that are not powerful enough to cause serious injury or death, but that were designed to resemble a real firearm with near precision. Replica firearms, except for replicas of antique firearms, are classified as prohibited devices.

In particular, some air guns that are commonly called air soft guns may fall into this category. These are devices that have a low muzzle velocity and muzzle energy, and that usually discharge projectiles made out of a substance such as plastic or wax rather than metal or lead.

Although replica firearms are prohibited, you may keep any that you owned on December 1, 1998. You do not need a licence to possess them, and they do not need to be registered. However, as an individual, you cannot import or acquire a replica firearm. If you take a replica firearm out of Canada, you will not be able to bring it back in.

The Criminal Code sets out some penalties for using a replica firearm or any other imitation firearm to commit a crime.

The Canada Firearms Centre (CAFC) receives many enquiries from people wondering whether a low-powered air gun would be considered a replica if it resembles a real firearm in terms of its shape and size, but it is made of clear or brightly coloured plastic, or is much smaller in size.

Many of these devices have to be assessed on a case-by-case basis. As a general rule, however, those made out of clear plastic and those that are significantly smaller than the real version are not classified as replicas. Brightly coloured paint does not necessarily exclude a device from the definition of a replica. If you have questions about a particular make and model of air gun you may contact a firearms technician by calling 1 800 731-4000, ext 1094.

 

[MPIKE]

Airsoft is explicitly prohibited, but the orange paint muddies the issue:

http://www.cfc-ccaf.gc.ca/info_for-renseignement/factsheets/airguns_e.asp

The other issue with Airsoft is that many 16yr old "all weather night fighters" don't realize about their coveted toys is that they too fall under the same Regs for storage and handling requirements of firearms. 

No slant intended to the hobbyists but I'm no fan of the look-likes..