Weapons haul surprises cops on search warrant
Accused collared in home has 57 previous offences
PENTICTON — Mounties were stunned by a small arsenal of weapons, including a semiautomatic assault rifle, discovered last week during a drug raid at a Penticton home.
The RCMP’s Targeted Enforcement Unit executed a search warrant at the Uplands Court residence on Nov. 22 at the conclusion of a two-week drug trafficking investigation.
Inside, officers found a “quantity” of illegal drugs, police said in a press release, along with numerous firearms.
Weapons included two revolvers, a .22-calibre assault rifle, nine-millimetre pistol, .38calibre handgun, crossbow and ammunition.
“Finding so many guns was a shock to us, but (we’re) very happy to have them out of the hands of criminal,” TEU leader Cpl. Scott Van Every said in a press release.
Andrew Hardestine, 38, and Crystal Olson, 40, were both arrested inside the home.
Hardenstine is charged with four weapons offences, plus possession of a controlled substance and possession of stolen property over $5,000. He was due in court Wednesday for a bail hearing.
Hardenstine had 57 prior convictions and was described as a prolific offender when he was sentenced in 2013 to three years in prison for a string of charges similar to the set he now faces.
Olson is charged with three weapons offences, plus possession of a controlled substance and possession of stolen property over $5,000. She was released on $500 bail and was due in court Wednesday for an arraignment hearing.