Month: August 2020

On August 24, 2020 at approximately 6:30 p.m. Halifax Regional Police responded to a report from the Coast Guard that the body of a man was located in the Halifax Harbour near Seaview Park. There is no initial evidence to suggest that the person met with foul play however Halifax Regional Police will be assisting the Medical Examiner to identify the person and determine the cause of death.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact investigators 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.

Case #20-98611

On Friday August 14, 2020, the Yarmouth/Clare SCEU, Yarmouth Municipal, and Yarmouth Rural RCMP executed a drug search warrant at a residence in Yarmouth. A “purple substance” in a pill bottle (that looked like a mix of either play dough or chalk) was located/seized. The substance seized is suspected of being Purple Fentanyl or a substance laced with Fentanyl.

Fentanyl is a deadly drug that leads to many drug overdoses and deaths and there have been many seizures in Nova Scotia. If you would like to save a life of a family member or friend then leave an anonymous trip at: crimestoppers.ns.ca, or call 1 800 222 8477 or via the P3 App.

 

Additional arrest and charges laid by Human Trafficking Team

August 23, 2020, Pictou County, Nova Scotia…The Nova Scotia Human Trafficking Team has arrested a man and laid additional charges in relation to Operation Hush.

The Provincial Human Trafficking Team received information that persons in the Pictou County area were attempting to target and recruit young women from the area into Human Trafficking. In response to this, the Provincial Human Trafficking Team lead Operation Hush in conjunction with the Nova Scotia RCMP, New Glasgow Regional Police (NGRP), Pictou County Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit (PCISCEU) and Stellarton Police Service (SPS).

On July 15, police arrested Robert Joseph Cameron, 34, of New Glasgow. He is charged with Sexual Assault x 2 and Sexual Interference. He is schedule to appear in court on August 24.

The following additional charges have been laid against two men who were arrested previously:

Aberlardo Sanchez Villar, 45, from New Glasgow, is charged with Obtaining Sexual Services from a Person over 18 x 2.

Justin Stanley MacDonald, 23, from New Glasgow, is charged with:

·         Sexual Assault x 2;

·         Sexual Interference;

·         Possession of Child Pornography;

·         Breach of Probation.

The victims have been offered support and a Publication Ban was issued by the Provincial Court Judge in relation to all matters.

If you are or have been trafficked, or believe someone you know is being trafficked, the RCMP has a support line you can call or text. It is monitored 24 hours a day by a police officer: 902-449-2425. The callers can choose to leave their information anonymously. Anonymous calls can also be made by contacting Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca

Halifax Regional Police is investigating multiple reports of thefts from vehicles that occurred early this morning.

Halifax Regional Police received a report of a break and enter into a secured parking garage in the 600 block of Parkland drive overnight. When officers attended the scene they learned that several vehicles (approximately 20) had been entered and many had items stolen. There were other similar thefts from motor vehicles nearby on Solutions Drive. The incidents are believed to have occurred between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. today,  August 22nd.

Police are reminding people to:

1. Lock your vehicle, even when parked in your driveway.

• Never leave valuables in your vehicle, especially in plain view.

• Leave outside lights or motion sensors on.

The investigations into these incidents are ongoing and we encourage anyone who had property stolen from their vehicle to report it to police.

We ask that anyone who observes suspicious activity in or around parked vehicles or in their neighbourhood to call police immediately at 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.

August 21, 2020, Colchester County, Nova Scotia… August 23 will mark the 1^st anniversary of the disappearance of Peter Anthony Walsh.

Walsh, known as “Tony” to his family and friends, was last seen on August 23, 2019 in Truro. On the morning and afternoon of Friday, August 23, 2019, Tony is known to have driven to various locations including Millbrook, Truro and Debert. It was reported that he was last seen getting into a truck in the Truro area. His vehicle, a beige 1999 Chrysler Sebring, was later found in a business parking lot in downtown Truro. His disappearance was initially being investigated as a missing persons file, however, evidence led investigators to re-focus on the matter as a homicide.

On August 23, at 7:30 p.m., there will be a memorial walk to show support for Tony’s family in Truro. The meeting place is at 966 Prince St. The family is asking those who are attending to wear a mask and practice social distancing.

The RCMP continues to ask members of the public to come forward if they have any information about this incident. Information can be provided directly to the investigators by calling the RCMP Northeast Nova Major Crimes Unit at 902-896-5060. 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 # 20191296170

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the murder of Donald David Snelgrove and the Special Investigation Section of the Integrated Criminal Investigation Division continues to investigate the case.

On August 21, 2000, at approximately 1:20 p.m., police responded to a report of a death at an apartment building in the 3600 block of Windsor Street in Halifax. Officers found Donald Snelgrove deceased in the living room of his apartment.

The investigation revealed that Donald had been assaulted some time prior to his death, and this assault was a contributing factor in his death. Investigators have information that Donald was allegedly the victim of an assault that occurred during a disturbance on Romans Avenue in Halifax sometime after 9 p.m. on Friday, August 18, 2000. Investigators are interested in speaking to anyone who may have seen Donald’s 1988 grey Plymouth Reliant in the area at the time of this disturbance and assault.

Investigators believe there are people who have information that could help solve Donald’s murder and 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 Donald’s murder to contact police at 902-490-5016. 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 texting a tip using the P3 Tips App.

Donald’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 #00-33036

August 20, 2020, Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia… On August 19, at approximately 5:30 a.m., members of the Halifax District RCMP responded to a call of an armed robbery at a service station on Beaver Bank Rd. in Lower Sackville.

RCMP officers responded and learned that a lone suspect entered the store, produced a weapon but did not use it, and demanded cash. There was no one else in the store at the time. The cashier complied and no one was hurt. The suspect fled the store and the cashier called 911.

The suspect is described as 5-foot-6, wearing a blue hooded sweater with white writing, dark mask, blue hat.

RCMP Forensic Identification Section are assisting with the investigation. The investigation is ongoing and lead by the RCMP/HRP Integrated Criminal Investigation Division.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Halifax District RCMP 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 # 20-95933

August 18, 2020, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia… The Nova Scotia RCMP is warning the public about a number of phone and computer scams requesting payment with cryptocurrency or gift-cards being reported throughout the province.

Various types of scams are on the rise in the province, the most recent involves falsely representing Service Canada, and the vast majority have one thing in common: They involve a request for payment in cryptocurrency or via gift-cards.

“If someone portrays themselves as representing a government institution or other organization, or is someone with whom you’re in an online relationship and have never met and requests payment in cryptocurrency or via gift-cards, regardless of reason, it’s a scam,” says Cpl. Wayne Ross of the Nova Scotia RCMP Commercial Crime Section.

Police are advising anyone who receives a call asking for anything requiring payment in this fashion to step back and contact your local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501. For more information about common fraud scams and how to protect yourself, visit he Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s website at https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm

Police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating two guitars and violin that were stolen during a residential break and enter earlier this month in Halifax.

On August 16 officers responded to a break and enter in to a residence on Andrews Street that had occurred sometime between the night of August 15 and the morning of August 16. The following three musical instruments and their cases were stolen:

Ernie Ball Music Man 7-string electric guitar, matte white with a GoPro mount on the neck near the tuners. Stored in a black case.

• Ibenez 6-string electric guitar, purple, “Ilnas” written in black marker on the tuners. Stored in a black case with skateboard stickers pasted all over it.
• Yamaha 5-string violin, mostly black with wood grain showing through on the neck. Stored in a black case.

Over and above the monetary value of the items, these instruments are of sentimental value to the owner.

Police ask anyone who may have seen these instruments or with information about this incident 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.

Case #20-94730

Police are investigating a suspicious circumstances call that occurred yesterday in Dartmouth.

At approximately 1 p.m. a man in a vehicle parked on Birchwood Terrace in Dartmouth beckoned to a 10-year-old youth to approach his vehicle. The youth ran away from the scene and the man drove by the youth before leaving the area.

The man was described as white, 40-50 years old, bald and wearing glasses. The man was driving a red four-door car.

In this case, the youth did the right thing by not approaching the vehicle, running away and reporting the incident to a trusted adult who contacted police.

Police would like to speak with the driver about this incident and are asking the driver or anyone who has information about this incident 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.