Calgary men charged in connection to six-hour standoff with Airdrie police

Two Calgary men have been charged in connection to a six-hour standoff with AirdrieRCMP on Monday evening.

At about 11:20 p.m.,RCMP stopped a motorhome on Yankee Valley Boulevard near theRavenswood neighbourhood in Airdrie, according to a news release issued Wednesday.

While an officerwas going to conduct the check, another officer saw the driver of the RV holding an assault rifle.

Police retreated for cover as more resources were called in, the release said. That included the Southern Alberta Emergency Response Team (ERT), a police dog unit, the Airdrie Fire Department, EMS and a Calgary police helicopter.

Occupants of homes in the immediate area were relocated as there was threat of an explosion, police said.

People were taken on buses supplied by the City of Airdrie to the Town and Country Centre, a community hall.

Police saidthe man surrendered after a "lengthy standoff."

In custody

Paul Herbert Crellin, 51, of Calgary was charged with seven offences, including failure to comply with a release order, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and careless use of a firearm.

Crellin also has five outstanding warrants from theCalgary Police Service, the release says, along with seven outstanding warrants from the Edmonton Police Service. He is in custody and is set to appear in Airdrie Provincial Court on Thursday.

Another man was travelling with Crellin, but following in a separate vehicle, police said.

Joshua Peter Ball, 42, of Calgary was arrested and charged with seven offences, including possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and possession of body armour without a valid permit.

Ball is also in custody and is set to appear in Airdrie Provincial Court on Thursday.