Category: Crime Of The Week

Today marks the 15^th anniversary of the murder of Tanya Jean Brooks and the Special Investigation Section of the Integrated Criminal Investigation Division continues to investigate the case.

Tanya was found deceased beside the former St. Patrick’s-Alexandra School on Maitland Street in Halifax on May 11, 2009, at approximately 2:20 p.m. Investigators were able to trace her movements until approximately 9 p.m. on May 10 and they urge anyone who witnessed anything in the area of the school around that time to contact police.

Investigators believe Tanya knew her assailant(s) and that there are people who have information that could help solve her murder. We hope that the passage of time will encourage them to do the right thing and come forward with what they know. It is never too late to come forward and the smallest piece of information may be just what is needed to progress the investigation.

Investigators ask anyone with information about Tanya’s murder to contact police at 902-490-5020.

Tanya’s family will be hosting a memorial in her honor on Saturday, May 11 at 5 p.m. at 2277 Maitland Street in Halifax.

Tanya’s case is part of the Nova Scotia Department of Justice Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes Program which offers cash rewards of up to $150,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of person(s) responsible for specified major unsolved crimes. Callers must contact the Rewards Program at 1-888-710-9090, must provide their name and contact information, and may be called to testify in court. All calls will be recorded. The amount of the award will be based on the investigative value of the information provided.

GO #09-66613

May 9, 2024, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia…The Nova Scotia RCMP’s Commercial Crime Section and Cybercrime Unit are warning the public of recent instances of scammers targeting retail businesses using sophisticated spear phishing techniques. 

Scammers contact an employee via text message from an unfamiliar number, pretending to be the owner or manager. They will say they had to change their phone number because they lost or damaged their cell phone. 

The scammers often have significant knowledge of the business, including names or upcoming transactions, and will engage in casual conversation to trick the employee into believing they are speaking directly with the owner or manager. 

The scammers will then request the employee to send money via cryptocurrency to quickly cover an urgent business cost. 

The Nova Scotia RCMP encourages businesses to review their processes for dealing with emergency expenditures and discuss with employees the warning signs of spear phishing attempts, including:

• A sudden change in the cell phone number of a manager or owner.
• Unsolicited communication through text message only.
• Urgency from a sudden business situation, and high-pressure tactics to quickly resolve the matter.
• Requests for money to be deposited into a Bitcoin ATM.
• Use of QR Codes for payment addresses.

If you, or someone you know, is a victim of this scam or any other type of fraud, report it to your local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. For more information, visit: https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm

Police file number 2024-546732 -East Hants RCMP is requesting the public’s assistance to identify a person of interest in shoplifting complaints in the East Hants area. A photo of a person and vehicle of interest is attached- if you can identify them please call the police at 902 883 7077 or anonymous tips can be sent to www.crimestoppers.ns.ca or via the P3 app or by calling 1 800 222 8477(TIPS).

May 2, 2024, St. Croix, Nova Scotia… West Hants District RCMP is looking for information in relation to a suspicious incident of men approaching children in St. Croix.

On April 30, at approximately 8 p.m., West Hants District RCMP responded to a report of two men in a black SUV approaching two children riding their bikes in St. Croix.

The SUV first approached the two children on Sylvia Dr., when one of the occupants yelled at the children about riding their bikes on the wrong side of the road. The children continued on their bikes to Hartville Rd. The SUV approached the children again, and the man in the passenger seat offered them candy.

The children fled on their bikes to a neighbouring home, and the SUV drove off towards Ellershouse Bridge on Hwy. 1. No one was injured in the incident, which occurred at about 7:30 p.m.

The passenger is described as a white male with grey hair and beard, wearing an Xbox ball cap, sunglasses and a long-sleeve grey shirt.

The driver is described as a black male, wearing sunglasses.

Extensive patrols have been made in the area; however, officers were unable to locate the men.

On May 1, West Hants RCMP responded to a second report of a similar unrelated incident. Upon further investigation, officers determined this incident was a misunderstanding and not criminal.

The investigation into the April 30 incident is ongoing. West Hants District RCMP would like to speak to the persons of interest regarding the circumstances of both interactions.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact West Hants RCMP at 902-798-2207. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.

File #: 2024-573918

On March 12^th, 2024, Police and Fire attended 81 Rateau Street, Sydney Mines regarding a suspicious fire inside a vacant dwelling. The matter is currently under investigation by Deputy Fire Marshall and police.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call police. Anonymous tips can be sent to Crime Stoppers by calling toll-free 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submitting a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca or by using the P3 Tips app.

File: 2024015485

Halifax Regional Police is investigating a threats complaint at a high school in Halifax. 

At approximately 10:50 a.m. this morning, officers responded to a report of threats received by Halifax West High School located at 283 Thomas Raddall Drive. Officers are on scene and are checking the school for any safety concerns.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call police at 902-490-5020. Anonymous tips can be sent to Crime Stoppers by calling toll-free 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submitting a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca or by using the P3 Tips app.

File #24-56240

Halifax Regional Police is investigating a stabbing that occurred overnight in Halifax.

At approximately 2:52 a.m. officers responded to a report of an injured person in the 0-100 block of Evans Avenue. Officers located a 55-year-old man who had been stabbed inside a residence. The victim was taken to hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries.

There is no suspect description. The investigation is in the early stages.  A police presence will remain in the area as the investigation continues.

Anyone with information or video from the area is asked to call police at 902-490-5020. Anonymous tips can be sent to Crime Stoppers by calling toll-free 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submitting a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca or by using the P3 Tips app.

File #24-56115

April 25, 2024, Cherry Brook, Nova Scotia… RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment is seeking information on the whereabouts of a man currently wanted on a province-wide arrest warrant.

Michael Roy, 24, from Halifax, is wanted and facing charges of:

• Assault
• Uttering Threats (two counts)

Roy, also known under the last name of Rodriguez-Roy, is described as 5-foot-4, 135 lbs. He has black hair and brown eyes.

Police have made several attempts to locate Roy; however, investigators are requesting assistance from the public.

Anyone who has information on the whereabouts of Michael Roy is asked to refrain from approaching him and to call police at 902-490-5020. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.

File #: 23-450436

April 25, 2024, Hammonds Plains, Nova Scotia… RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment is investigating hate motived mischief that occurred at a school in Hammonds Plains.

On April 23, at approximately 10:15 a.m., RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment received a report of mischief at Kingswood Elementary School on Vrege Crt. RCMP officers learned that graffiti had been spray painted on the rear of the building.

Information and evidence gathered by investigators indicates that the mischief was motivated by hate based on race and religion.

The RCMP takes incidents of hate with utmost seriousness and condemns these criminal acts.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment at 902-490-5020. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.

File #: 24-53331

April 19, 2024, Saulnierville, Nova Scotia… Meteghan RCMP is investigating a suspicious structure fire that occurred in Saulnierville.

On April 19, at approximately 3:07 a.m., RCMP officers and fire services responded to a report of a fire at a commercial structure on Saulnierville Rd. Upon arrival at the scene, the structure was engulfed in flames.

No one was inside the building at the time of the fire.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation; however, it’s believed to be suspicious in nature.

The investigation is being conducted by Meteghan RCMP, with assistance from the Nova Scotia Fire Marshal’s Office.

“This suspicious fire follows a series of criminal acts in the Meteghan area, and we’re appealing to residents to report any criminality or suspicious activity to us,” says Sgt. Jeff LeBlanc, Meteghan RCMP Detachment Commander. “We’re implementing safety and operational planning in the local area, which includes a dedicated investigative team. But we need members of the community to come forward with information, which can be done anonymously through our detachment or Crime Stoppers.”

Anyone with details about this fire, or any other incident in the municipality of Clare, is asked to contact the Meteghan RCMP at 902-645-2326. To offer an anonymous tip, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.