In what they're calling an "unusual find" following a routine traffic stop, police stumbled upon three firearms — including a prohibited sawed-off rifle — hidden under a vehicle in North Preston last night.

Nova Scotia RCMP say they were investigating a motor vehicle violation, when an officer noticed a sawed-off rifle with ammunition and two BB guns located under a vehicle parked nearby on Willis Lane.

Cpl. Jennifer Clarke, an RCMP spokesperson, said the traffic stop and the discovery of the weapons were "completely unrelated" incidents.

This is a "fairly unusual find for us," Clarke said, "we're really happy to have found them."

The sawed-off rifle is "a very dangerous weapon," Clarke said. "It's prohibited so no one can be in possession of it. So we are very, very pleased to have found these things to get them off the streets."

Owners unknown

Clarke said police are hoping members of the public will come forward to help them determine who the weapons belong to.

"It's important for us that if firearms are being left where anyone … for example a child could find them, and cause serious harm to themselves or someone else, it's important for us to be able to get that information so that we can put a stop to it."

If a tip from the public leads to an arrest, Clarke said, there could be a cash reward from Crime Stoppers. Calls to Crime Stoppers are not taped or traced.

Clarke said police do not know if the weapons may be connected to the shooting death of Daverico Downey in North Preston on April 23. She said that investigation continues.