Jason Teakle
BRANT NEWS

A police canine unit search conducted at Brier Park on Thursday morning did not turn up more firearms after six long guns were found by city police in the park at about noon on Wednesday.

The west region OPP canine unit searched the area to make sure all weapons and evidence were accounted for. The guns were discovered in a wooded area of the Ravenwood Road park, at the rear of Brier Park and Resurrection schools.

In a media release issued on Friday, police said the search did not result in the discovery of any additional firearms and indicated the guns found earlier were all unloaded.

Police said on Thursday that the street crime unit became aware of a suspicious package partially buried in the ground in a forested area of the park.

Investigators say five rifles and a shotgun were discovered buried and wrapped in a black tarp and white and green bedspread tied together by metal wire and clothesline.

Police say their investigation is continuing. Officers are searching for the owners of three of the firearms, including a Lithgow rifle, a Winchester rifle and a Winchester shotgun. The other three guns discovered by police were reported stolen in December last year during a break and enter in Brantford.

“We don’t believe there is any danger to anyone in the area at this time,” Const. Natalie Laing said during an interview on Thursday.

Const. Robert Page of the west region Ontario Provincial Police canine unit said at the scene on Thursday that he was conducting a search of the area with his police dog, Gunner, an eight-year-old black lab trained to sniff out firearms and drugs.

“We will do some different search patterns,” Page said. “A lot of people walk their dogs in this park, so there are a lot of natural dog distractions.

“We are lending a hand with the search and the Brantford police will deal with the seizure of any evidence.”

Heather Cade, who lives in the area, said she is angry about the discovery of the firearms.

“I walk my dog in the woods behind those schools every day,” Cade said. “I’m angry about it because two of my kids walk back there often.

“I have lived here all my life but now I will have to tell my kids to stay out of there.”

Tylor Barlow, a Ravenwood Road resident for about 16 years, said he is shocked by the discovery in the quiet neighbourhood.

“I would never expect something like that to happen here,” Barlow said. “It is a little scary and I wonder who would have done it.

“I have walked my dog back there. It is really weird.”

Anyone with information about the guns is asked to contact the city police street crime unit at 519-756-7050 ext. 2286.