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Man charged in theft of firearms, handgun recovered

A Yellowknife man has been charged in connection with the Thanksgiving weekend theft of firearms and ammunition from a city home.

Toufic Chamas, 23, was arrested on Oct. 19 after Yellowknife RCMP recovered a handgun and ammunition from his vehicle during a traffic stop, stated a news release issued by Mounties Monday.

The handgun, police say, was stolen during a break-in at a Rivett Crescent home between Oct. 7 and Oct. 8. Ammunition, jewelry and other miscellaneous items were also swiped from the residence.

Beau Desire-Tesar, a 31-year-old Yellowknife man, was charged early on in connection with the break-in and theft.

Desire-Tesar, who faces multiple firearm and theft charges, remains wanted and at-large.

He’s described as white, 6'0"tall, with a lanky build, dark brown hair and hazel eyes.

RCMP warn Desire-Tesar may be in possession of firearms. If seen, residents are urged to contact police and not approach the suspect.

In 2015, Desire-Tesar pleaded guilty stealing a rifle from Canadian Tire in Yellowknife.

Chamas now faces a total of 14 charges in connection with the same break-in, including seven firearm offences, two driving-related offences and five counts of failing to comply with a recognizance.

Less than two weeks ago, Chamas was convicted for the dangerous operation of a drone - a first in Canada. He was charged after numerous residents reported seeing a drone flying dangerously close to buildings and power lines in September of last year.

Chamas was set to be sentenced for the offence on Oct. 24 - one day before his new court date in connection with the firearms theft. Court records show numerous motor-vehicle related offences on Chamas’ criminal record, along with a conviction for drug possession in 2017.

RCMP ask anyone with information about Desire-Tesar’s whereabouts, or about the stolen property, to contact Yellowknife RCMP at 867-669-1111 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, nwtnutips.com, (click on “submit a web tip”) or text: nwtnutips to 274637.