Casino Has No Plans Of Installing Metal Detector After Handgun Seized
By Robert Thomas
An incident where an arrest was made inside of Casino Moose Jaw and a handgun, knife and bear spray seized won’t have the casino installing metal detectors or scanners.
On the weekend the Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) arrested Nigel Wolfe on outstanding warrants after he was spotted inside the casino.
Following the arrest, which took place in the early morning hours of April 16th, it is alleged Wolfe had in his possession, a loaded 22 calibre handgun, a knife, as well as bear spray plus one ounce of crystal methamphetamine.
WEAPONS ALLEGEDLY IN THE WANTED MAN’S POSSESSION INCLUDED A LOADED .22 CALIBRE HANDGUN, KNIFE AND BEAR SPRAY. ADDITIONALLY ONE OUNCE OF CRYSTAL METH AND FETA MEAN WAS SEIZED - PHOTO CREDIT MOOSE JAW POLICE SERVICE FACEBOOK ACCOUNT
Wolfe’s arrest with a loaded handgun in the casino has prompted at least one casino regular to ask if security measures shouldn’t be improved. Improved by installing a metal detector or scanner to enter the casino.
“After this I think they need to get a metal detector,” a casino regular told MJ Independent on condition of anonymity because of fear of reprisals from the “dangerous people now hanging out Downtown.”
Despite the worries of weapons entering the casino, there are no plans to install metal detectors according to written response from SaskGaming.
SaskGaming was aware of the incident at the casino and arrest but had full confidence in the MJPS the response read going on to add arrests are rare but do happen inside the casino.
“Arrests on casino premises happen occasionally but are not common. Casino Moose Jaw has an excellent working relationship with the Moose Jaw Police Service, and we defer to their expertise in these situations and our security personnel and other staff extend their full cooperation. In this instance, the arrest was made peacefully and without further incident. Security measures at Casino Moose Jaw are regularly evaluated to help ensure the safety of our guests and employees. Installation of metal detectors at Casino Moose Jaw is not being contemplated at this time,” the response to MJ Independent’s questions read.
A WANTED MAN’S LUCK RAN OUT AT CASINO MOOSE JAW EARLY SATURDAY MORNING AS HE WAS ARRESTED ON OUTSTANDING WARRANTS INSIDE THE CASINO - MJ INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTO
According to the MJPS’s Facebook page Wolfe was arrested without incident at a casino table.
The MJPS Facebook page stated the MJPS attended to the casino where Wolfe was spotted. A plan was made to arrest the wanted man inside the casino so as to prevent him from escaping.
Seeing the officers approach Wolfe gave up without incident.
It was during his subsequent search the illegal items were allegedly found with Wolfe being charged with firearms offences related to the handgun, drug trafficking charges as well as breaching an order not to possess weapons.
It is unknown how many patrons and staff were in the casino at the time of the early morning arrest.