REGINA – After more than a year since the initial incident occurred, Cain Lindahl, 29, answered to weapons charges in Regina Provincial Court on May 3.
“You can’t have a gun or anything like it for the rest of your life,” said Judge P.A. Reis in handing down Lindahl’s sentence, which included a lifetime weapons prohibition.
The charges stemmed from an incident on April 7, 2022 when police performed a traffic stop in the 2000 block of McTavish Street. The SWAT team and Canine Unit were called in as police had reason to believe firearms were present in the vehicle. A man and a woman were in the suspect car, and were not compliant with police.
“Initial attempts to get all suspects to exit the vehicle were not successful and, as a result, officers determined that a tool used to break windows from a distance was necessary,” said RPS in a media release. “Following the deployment, all three suspects exited the vehicle and were arrested without further incident.”
Court heard that the RPS Street Gang Unit had been doing surveillance on meth and fentanyl dealing in Regina at the time, and members had observed the vehicle making “several stops” in short duration that day.
Upon searching the vehicle, police noticed a black duffle bag that contained a 12-gauge loaded shotgun with a round in the chamber and five more nearby. A small amount of cash was also seized, as well as a quantity of drugs. While the pump action shotgun did have a serial number, the rightful owner could not be tracked down.
Lindahl entered guilty pleas on carrying a prohibited weapon, and possessing a weapon for a purpose dangerous to the public peace. Two other weapons-related charges were stayed but the Crown. On a separate seven-count information, he pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm and a breach conditions, with the remaining five counts also stayed by the Crown. A further three-count information regarding drug and stolen property under $5,000 was also stayed but the Crown.
Further, on Jan. 30, Lindahl was charged with possession of a home made weapon, which Court heard was discovered en route to the Regina Provincial Correction Centre. Lindahl had fashioned the shiv after previously being stabbed and sent to hospital while incarcerated - carrying the device for self-protection should a similar situation occur.
A proposed joint submission offered Lindahl serve 2.5 years concurrent on the weapons offences, and a further 90 days on the home made weapon charge.
He entered a guilty plea to the charge, receiving a fourth 90 days consecutive to his sentence.
Lindahl had been in custody 391 days, and used 45 days on previous charges. With enhanced remand credit applied, he has 394 more days to serve behind bars.
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