A tip about an erratic driver on the Pat Bay Highway led Sidney/North Saanich RCMP to evidence of a crime spree Thursday evening.

After receiving a call about an old, red pickup truck heading towards the Swartz Bay ferry terminal, RCMP checked the licence plate and found the vehicle had been stolen from a business in Nanaimo earlier in the day.

“That increased our response level. People who steal vehicles are often trying to flee,” said RCMP Cpl. Chris Swain.

The vehicle was stopped by police near Wain Road and the driver, a 49-year-old man from Surrey, and passenger, a 47-year-old woman from Burnaby, were arrested.

A search of the truck found a handgun and ammunition, auto parts stolen from the same Nanaimo business as the truck, illegal drugs, including a quantity of methamphetamine, a suitcase containing a machine and other supplies used to make fraudulent credit cards, replica firearms and ID not belonging to occupants of the truck.

The couple is facing charges including possession of property obtained by crime, weapons possession, driving while prohibited, theft or forgery of credit cards and possession of a controlled substance.

The driver has an extensive criminal record, dating back to 1978, including convictions for violence, firearms, drugs and stolen-property offences, Swain said. His most recent conviction was for possession of fraudulent credit cards.

The woman has a record of drug-related convictions, he said.