A 23-year-old man from Nova Scotia was arrested in Moncton after police recovered a prohibited firearm during a weekend patrol.

Officers were patrolling near De Fiedmont Street on Sunday, around 11:45 a.m., when they saw a man carrying what they believed to be a carbine case.

As they approached him, the man allegedly ran into nearby woods.

Police said the man was seen again shortly after, without the case.

When officers tried to speak with him, he identified himself but attempted to flee a second time.

During the arrest, mounties say the man struck an officer in the face.

The officer sustained minor injuries but was able to gain control of the situation and make the arrest.

RCMP Police Dog Services located a carbine case and a firearm in the area where the man was first seen.

The weapon was a nine millimetre semi-automatic rifle, which has been classified as a prohibited firearm under Canadian law since December 5, 2024, according to the RCMP.

The man appeared in Moncton Provincial Court on Monday and is facing the following charges:

• Possession of a prohibited firearm
• Unsafe storage of a firearm
• Assaulting a peace officer
• Resisting arrest
• Obstruction
• Failing to comply with release orders

He remains in custody and is scheduled for a bail hearing on August 19.

RCMP said the incident did not meet the criteria for an Alert Ready notification, but officers remain prepared to issue one if necessary