An Agassiz man was arrested earlier this month after slashing the tires of a police car.

Mounties say an Agassiz RCMP officer was patrolling in the 11300 block of Gill Road near the Fraser River on Jan. 8 when he conducted a vehicle stop. While doing so, three tires of the police cruiser were slashed.

According to the RCMP, the offender ran into nearby bushes but was identified by the officer, who then searched the man's truck.

In it, the officer found an unsecured shotgun.

A 23-year-old Rosedale man was arrested the following day. Upon his release, he surrendered several firearms and ammunition from his home.

"We were really shocked to see young people in Agassiz carrying firearms in their vehicles like this," said Agassiz detachment commander Sgt. Stu Falebrinza. "The public can rest assured that we will be making more frequent patrols of that area and a lower tolerance for any infraction can be expected."

Mounties say Crown counsel is assessing possible firearms, mischief and obstruction charges.