On July 6, 2023, at 1:25 a.m., the Hinton RCMP Crime Reduction Unit was making routine patrols in the Town of Hinton when a red Ford Super Duty truck was seen fueling up at a gas station.
The plate was queried and found that the vehicle was reported stolen out of Athabasca on July 5, 2023.
The lone male driver was arrested for being in possession of a stolen vehicle. Search incidental to arrest located a sawed-off 12 gauge shotgun tucked into the pants of the driver.
The firearm was found to be loaded. The vehicle was searched and more ammunition for the shotgun was located.
Andrew Brietze (34), a resident of Hinton, was charged with:
- Possession of property less then $5000
- Unauthorized Possession of a firearm (x2)
- Possession of Firearm with tampered serial number
- Possession of Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
- Carrying a concealed weapon
- Possession of a Restricted Weapon
- Possession of Firearm in a motor vehicle
- Possession of Firearm knowing possession is unauthorized
- Fail to Comply with Release order condition (X2)
Brietze taken before a justice of the peace and remanded into custody with his next court appearance set for July 19, 2023, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Hinton.
RCMP news release
