Men charged after weapons, meth found during unrelated investigation in North End

Police unexpectedlystumbled across weapons and drugs while chasing robbery suspects in the North End on Wednesday.

Officerswere searching for suspects after an armed robbery at a nearby convenience store around 11:55 p.m.They ran into two men on AlfredAvenue whothey say matched the description of the robbers.

The two men were arrested and taken into custody.

Police said they found a loaded sawed-off .22 calibre bolt-action rifle along with ammunition, an airsoft handgun with a silencer and two throwing stars in one of the men's backpacks.

The second man was found with a knife and a little over a gram-and-a-half of meth, police said.

While police now say neither of the men were responsible for the robbery, both face charges.

A 38-year-old man from Winnipeg faces a number of firearms and weapons-related charges,including possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm and carrying a concealed weapon.

A 44-year-old man from Winnipeg is charged with carrying a concealed weapon and possession of methamphetamine.

Police are still searching for the convenience store robbers.

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