Seatbelt violation leads to gun charges for Saskatoon boy

A 17-year-old boy is facing gun charges after a police officer spotted him riding in a car without wearing a seatbelt.

According to police, officers pulled over a taxi on 22nd Street West just before midnight on Wednesday, because the passenger in the rear of the cab wasn’t wearing a seatbelt.

“When asked to identify himself, the male provided a false name to officers before fleeing the traffic stop on foot; he was ultimately arrested a short distance away without further incident,” police said in a statement.

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“Upon search of his person, officers located a 9mm handgun, loaded magazine, and his legal identification.”

Police said the boy is now facing a number of gun charges, along with charges of obstruction, fraud and breaching court-ordered conditions.

He can’t be named under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.