A loaded, sawed-off shotgun was discovered in a pickup truck stopped by Penticton RCMP at noon on King Street Wednesday after the 33-year-old male fled on foot from the scene.

According to Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth, the man was chased by police officers while others blocked off the area. He was captured a few blocks away on Municipal Avenue and is scheduled to appear in court Thursday afternoon.

Police had been alerted to the vehicle after finding it had the wrong plates on it and recognized the male as a prohibited driver.

He was initially co-operative but then fled at which time police discovered the loaded firearm on the front passenger seat.

鈥淭his was a routine situation of a traffic violation that quickly turned into a much bigger incident with the potential for serious danger to the public and officers responding.鈥� said Targeted Enforcement Unit commander Cpl. Scott Vanevery. 鈥淥ur police officers face these unknown dangers every day, thankfully everyone was safe and the offender is in custody.鈥�