Guns Seized and Charges Laid: Calgary Cracks Down

Calgary’s streets are safer today after a significant bust by the Calgary Police Service’s Gun Violence Enforcement Team (GVET), who cracked down on crime in the southeast on October 6, 2025. This operation led to the seizure of a substantial cache of illegal firearms, ammunition, drugs, and over 50 pieces of stolen identification, a critical blow against both gun violence and property crime impacting our city.

Two individuals, 31-year-old John Werstroh and 41-year-old Ryan Bantugan, now face multiple charges, including possession of prohibited firearms and stolen property. From a residence in Seton Circle S.E., officers recovered a loaded Ranger repeater .22 caliber rifle, a snub nose revolver, a loaded Ruger Mark II .22 calibre handgun, a disassembled Colt 1911 handgun, a musket, a Browning .243 calibre sawed-off rifle, multiple types of ammunition, and 13.5 grams of methamphetamine. The sheer variety of seized weapons underscores the ongoing challenge of illegal firearms circulating in Calgary, a trend that police have been actively combatting.

The investigation further uncovered more than 50 pieces of stolen identification, along with key fobs, garage door openers, and dozens of stolen tools from another residence on Lavender Road S.E. and a storage unit. This is a crucial detail for Calgarians, as identity theft is a growing concern, with fraudsters increasingly sophisticated in using stolen personal information for various illicit activities, leading to significant financial and emotional distress for victims.

This enforcement action highlights Calgary's continuous efforts to enhance community safety and disrupt the networks involved in gun violence and property crime. Locals are always encouraged to report any related information to assist police in these vital efforts.

This story comes to us from the Calgary Newsroom. Get more info at the source: https://newsroom.calgary.ca/charges-laid-in-guns-and-stolen-property-investigation/