Charges laid in guns and stolen property investigation

We have arrested two men and charged them with several firearm, drug possession and stolen property offences.

In August of 2025, the Gun Violence Enforcement Team (GVET) began investigating a man believed to be selling drugs, guns and stolen property.

During the investigation, the suspect was observed attending a storage and RV parking lot in southeast Calgary, as well as meeting with a second man who was later identified as a suspect in a separate District 8 investigation into social disorder around a residence in Rangeview.

On Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, police executed search warrants on two southeast homes, as well as the storage unit associated to the suspects.

A search of a residence located in the 500 block of Seton Circle S.E., resulted in the seizure of:

• 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
• 13.5 grams of methamphetamine

A search of a residence located in the 0 to 100 block of Lavender Road S.E., and a storage unit located at 8450 114 Ave. S.E., located more than 50 pieces of stolen identification, key fobs and garage door openers, as well as dozens of stolen tools.

Two men were also taken into custody and are now facing charges.

31-year-old John WERSTROH, of Calgary, is charged with:

• One count of possession of stolen property over $5,000
• Four counts of possession of a prohibited firearm
• One count of mischief to a motor vehicle
• Two counts of failing to comply with a release order

WERSTROH remains in custody and will next appear in court on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025.

41-year-old Ryan BANTUGAN, of Calgary, is charged with:

• Two counts of unsafe storage of firearm
• Two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm
• One count of carrying a concealed weapon
• Onne count of possession of a loaded prohibited weapon
• One count of break and enter
• One count of possession of a controlled substance
• One count of possession of break and enter tools

BANTUGAN was released with conditions and will next appear in court on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025.

“We continue to be concerned about gun violence in our city,” said Staff Sgt. Matthew Gow of the Organized Crime Unit. “Getting firearms off the streets is a priority of the Gun Violence Enforcement Team”.

Photos of the firearms and the recovered stolen property are available on The City of Calgary website.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact police by calling 403-266-1234. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers through any of the following methods:

TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org
APP: P3 Tips

Case #CA25382836/4621