The driver of a motorhome moving excessively slowly on Vernon Avenue about 2:30 am Wednesday attracted the attention of Saanich police.
The driver was stopped and checked, and taken into custody for impaired driving.
But Sgt. Julie Fast says a search of the motorhome uncovered 2 firearms in the driver's area -- including one that was loaded:
" It turned out that actually the firearm that was loaded, when we did some investigation into it, it had been stolen from Sooke back in 1985. So it's been out for a while."
The 57-year-old driver is well-known to police and prohibited from possessing firearms.
John Evans has been remanded in custody and faces numerous firearms-related charges, including: possession of a loaded firearm, possession of both a restricted and prohibited firearm in a vehicle, unauthorized possession, unsafe transport, and failing to comply with a court order.