Manitoba First Nations Police were recently called to investigate a hostage situation.

Police say officers in Sandy Bay responded to a call on Feb. 1, in the early morning hours involving a male suspect in possession of a gun and holding a female against her will. Police say members of the Crime Reduction Team (CRT) and general patrol responded. Units arrived and spotted four suspects attempting to leave the residence in a vehicle. Police stopped the vehicle, and a firearm was located on the floorboard of the driver’s side of the vehicle.

MFNPS say after removing people from the car, a subsequent search located a replica handgun, which was later determined to be a BB gun. MFNPS note, after the driver was taken into custody, officers learned there were more individuals inside the home.

Officers add, after making contact with the hostages inside, three children, a man, and a woman safely exited the residence. In a search of the home, officers and police dog Ceto located numerous firearms, weapons, ammunition, drugs, and drug paraphernalia. However, there was no female in the residence being held against her will.

A 20-year-old man from Sandy Bay faces an onslaught of charges including -- possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, carrying a concealed weapon, unauthorized possession of a firearm/prohibited weapon, possession of a restricted firearm/prohibited weapon with ammunition and without a licence, two counts of possession of a weapon contrary to an order, and unsafe storage of a firearm.

Police also charged a Sandy Bay man, 19, with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. He was released on conditions to attend court at a later date.