Merritt man pleads guilty following standoff in May 2020

A Merritt man has pleaded guilty after a standoff with the South East District Emergency response team last year.

On May 27, 2020, Merritt RCMP front line officers with the assistance of the South East District Emergency Response Team executed a search warrant in the 1600 block of Bann Street after police received multiple reports that a local couple had committed assaults, one involving a firearm.

After a short standoff, five people, including the main suspect, were taken into custody.

“Our search of the residence yielded a Remington 870 shotgun, a compound bow, replica hand guns, a replica machine gun, gun powder, ammunition, body armor, and hard drugs,” says Sgt. Josh Roda. “We were very pleased to take these items out of the hands of people that shouldn’t have them.”

credit – Merritt RCMP

credit – Merritt RCMP

On December 20, 2021, Tyler James Collins pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm, crossbow, prohibited weapon, prohibited device, ammunition, prohibited ammunition or explosive while prohibited. Mr. Collins received 285 days in jail, probation for 12 months, lifetime firearms prohibition and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of $100.