A 29-year-old motorist tried to return to the United States without stopping at the Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle border crossing on Wednesday evening with a loaded handgun and ammunition on board. She was arrested after a police chase ended in Montreal.
Alerted by the Canada Border Services Agency around 11 p.m., police officers from MRC Les Jardins-de-Napierville in Montérégie located the suspect vehicle on Highway 15 northbound at km 35.
They attempted to intercept it, but the vehicle continued on its course, crossing the Samuel De Champlain Bridge towards Montreal before the police pursuit ended at the intersection of Saint-Jacques and Sainte-Marguerite streets.
There was a slight collision between the suspect vehicle and the Sûreté du Québec patrol car, but no one was injured, SQ spokeswoman Catherine Bernard said.
The motorist was arrested because he was impaired by alcohol and drugs before being taken to a hospital until his condition stabilized, the SQ said, adding that the suspect would later be met by investigators.
A quick search of the vehicle enabled police to seize a loaded handgun, magazine and ammunition, an arsenal that likely prompted the motorist to avoid stopping at customs.