Two men are facing charges after running from Durham police officers who approached them in the parking lot of a Pickering school.

Around 8 p.m. Wednesday, officers noticed stolen plates on a car parked behind Sir John A. Macdonald public school.

Investigators say the officers also saw two young men and approached them but they immediately took off.

One was arrested near a playground after a foot chase and a loaded gun was found.

The other allegedly drove off, leading to a chase through residential streets that ended when he crashed into a sign and mounted the curb.

Lucas Van Staveren, 19, of Pickering, is facing numerous firearms related charges.

Jayson Powell, 20, of Pickering, was charged under the Highway Traffic Act with dangerous operation of a conveyance; racing a motor vehicle as well as failure to remain.