Some uptown Olds residents hunkered down in their basements Sunday night as police converged on a 51st Street home with guns drawn.
As many as five police vehicles were seen stationed at various locations in an area between 51st Street and the alley behind 52nd Street in the area of 52nd Avenue shortly after 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 12.
Two ambulances were also on scene and several people witnessed police officers on foot with rifles in hand.
Devon Schmidt watched the scene unfold from his home at 5138 - 51st St. before an officer told him to seek shelter in his basement.
"They had rifles drawn on that house and they were saying come out of the house. We're the police. Come on out," said Schmidt pointing to a house across the street on the south side of 51st.
After being in the basement for a bit, Schmidt answered a knock at his door. It was a police officer.
"He said it's all over, someone was pulling a prank on the (person) that was in there and that's it," Schmidt said. "He seemed a little frustrated."
Olds RCMP were unable to be reached for comment by press time yesterday and did not issue a press release regarding the incident.
While many area residents expressed fear at what was going on, Schmidt said he was largely unfazed by the events unfolding on his street.
"I'm not surprised anymore when I see cops around here," he said.
After six years residing there, Schmidt said he's seen a lot of instances where police have converged on area properties. He said there have been several drug busts on his street.
