West Vancouver police say they have now recovered the two loaded handguns they were looking for after warning people that a mentally distraught man had discarded them somewhere in the West Bay area last night.

Police searching green spaces and treed areas recovered the two 9 mm pistols late Thursday morning. They say the man tried to help them, but could not recall where the guns had been discarded.

Const. Jeff Palmer says the man was taken into custody early Wednesday evening under the Mental Health Act after police were called to a home in the 3000 block of Roseberry Avenue.

Classes at nearby West Bay Elementary School were unaffected while the search was underway, but outdoor activities were temporarily suspended.