Kerry Chang Charged With 7 Firearms Offenses

ERT Arrest Prolific Offender

A 49 year old Nanaimo prolific offender with a history of violence was arrested this weekend and when his vehicle was searched, officers found a loaded handgun.

On Sunday January 15, at approximately 1:30 am, Kerry CHANG was arrested while driving a vehicle, near the intersection of the Nanaimo Parkway and Jingle Pot Road. Due to CHANG's propensity for violence, the possibility of weapons and the inherent risk to the public, the Vancouver Island Emergency Response Team (ERT) was utilized for the arrest.

ERT affected the arrest of CHANG and he along with two passengers, a 33 year female and 34 year old male, was arrested without incident. A search of the vehicle located a loaded semi-automatic handgun tucked between the front seats. A search of CHANG located $7138 dollars in Canadian currency and several knives. Several small baggies containing suspected cocaine and crystal methamphetamine were found on the female passenger.

"CHANG has a long history of violence, drug offences and property related occurrences throughout Nanaimo. His designation as a prolific offender chronicles a well-documented history of criminal activity and his arrest should bring some degree of comfort to the citizens of Nanaimo,” said Constable Gary O'Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.

CHANG has been remanded into custody on a various firearm related charges and other criminal code offences. On Monday January 16 CHANG was charged with 7 Criminal Code offences relating to the firearm seized. The two passengers were later released on a Promise to Appear for drug charges and are expected to make their first appearance in Nanaimo Provincial court on February 4.