Canadian man wearing wetsuit and fins swims to Michigan, steals handgun from pawn shop: authorities

Canadian Man Arrested After Swimming Across River, Stealing Gun in the U.S.

In a bizarre turn of events, a Canadian man’s desperate attempt to obtain a firearm led to his arrest in the United States. Jeremy James Wallace, hailing from Ontario, Canada, found himself in a sticky situation when his right to carry a gun in his home country was revoked. Here’s what happened next, in simple terms.

Pawn Shop Visit

On September 6, Wallace paid a visit to Metro Pawn & Guns in New Haven, Michigan. He expressed interest in a .22 caliber pistol and asked to examine it. But that wasn’t the end of it. Wallace then requested to see another firearm. When the store employee went to fetch it, Wallace seized the opportunity, grabbing the .22 caliber handgun along with two empty magazines, and swiftly made his exit from the store.

The Chase Begins

As the situation escalated, deputies from the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the scene. They spotted Wallace fleeing behind the pawn shop and into a nearby wooded area. It wasn’t long before they apprehended him.

A Swim Across Borders

In the subsequent legal proceedings, Wallace admitted to being in the U.S. illegally. He confessed to swimming across the U.S.-Canada border along the St. Clair River, originating from Sombra, Ontario. During his aquatic journey, Wallace was equipped with a wetsuit, flotation devices, and swimming fins to facilitate the challenging crossing.

Unconventional Heist Plan

Wallace’s intentions took a rather unconventional turn. He had also brought along a crossbow pistol, ammunition, and a hammer, just in case he needed to break into the store. His plan was to steal the handgun and then swim back to Sombra, Ontario, with his illicit prize.

The Motive

So, why did Wallace resort to such extreme measures? He explained that his inability to purchase a firearm in Canada, due to a previous firearm offense, drove him to this audacious heist.

Facing Charges

Jeremy James Wallace now faces multiple charges, including improper entry into the U.S. as an alien, possession of a firearm and ammunition as an alien, and possession of a stolen firearm.

In an unusual tale of international border crossings and unconventional heists, Wallace’s desperate quest for a gun landed him in hot water on foreign soil.