Couple charged after dropping loaded handgun outside Oshawa Walmart with child: police

A couple is facing weapons charges after police say they were spotted with a handgun at an Oshawa Walmart while in the company of a child.

Durham Regional Police responded to the Walmart on Laval Street at about 11 a.m. Friday after a witness spotted a man get out of a taxi and drop the gun on the ground.

Police said he then picked up the firearm and entered the store while in the company of a woman and a child.

Security guards inside the store monitored the couple with the help of police. Tactical officers and a K-9 unit then arrested the couple outside of the store and seized a loaded handgun from the woman’s purse.

Levan Hamilton, age 23 of Toronto, and Stephanie Damant, age 26 of Oshawa, have been charged with four firearm offences. Hamilton has also been charged with occupying a motor vehicle with a firearm and two counts of breaching probation. They were both held for bail hearings.

Anyone with new information is asked to contact the DRPS Gun and Gang Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5300, Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca.