Year: 2025

Cape Breton Regional Police are requesting the public’s assistance in identifying three individuals responsible for a Home Invasion that occurred on Friday February 7^th 2025 at approximately 6:50 am.

The suspects parked on Oxford Street in Sydney Mines, N.S. and entered the residence on Huron Avenue through the backyard and fled back to their vehicle and drove off.

Any information please contact the Cape Breton Regionals Police Service at 902 563 5151. Anonymous tips can be sent to: www.crimestoppers.ns.ca or by calling 1 800 222 8477(TIPS) or by using the P3 app.

Police file number 2025008068 refers.

Cape Breton Regional Police are asking for the public’s help in solving a Home Invasion that occurred on Friday February 7^th 2025 at approximately 6:50 am.

The suspects parked on Oxford Street in Sydney Mines, N.S. and entered the residence on Huron Avenue through the backyard and fled back to their vehicle and drove off.

Any information please contact the CBRP, or 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 number 2025008068.

Tomorrow marks the 20^th anniversary of the homicide of Danny DiBenedetto and the Special Investigation Section of the Integrated Criminal Investigation Division continues to investigate the case.

At approximately 7:35 p.m. on February 8, 2005, police responded to a reported shooting at a Dartmoor Crescent residence in Bedford. Responding officers found 36-year-old Danny DiBenedetto, who had been shot. Danny was transported to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The investigation revealed that three masked suspects entered the DiBenedetto home and an altercation occurred, leading to Danny being shot.

One suspect was described as a black man, wearing jeans, a black puffy jacket with fur around the collar and a dark ski mask. The second suspect was described as a black man with his hair tied back, wearing a grey tracksuit, grey hooded sweatshirt and a dark ski mask. The third suspect was described as a black male wearing a ski mask.

Investigators believe there are people who have information that could help solve Danny’s homicide and we hope that the passage of time will encourage someone 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 Danny’s homicide to contact police at 902-490-5020.

Danny’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 the 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.

05-5244

Today marks the fourth anniversary of the homicide of Brandon Reginald Polegato, and the Special Investigation Section of the Integrated Criminal Investigation Division continues to investigate the case.

On February 7, 2021, at approximately 8:50 p.m., Halifax Regional Police responded to a weapons complaint at an address in the 600 block of Washmill Lake Drive in Halifax. Officers located Brandon deceased inside the building. The Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service conducted an autopsy and ruled the death a homicide.

Investigators believe there are people who have information that could help solve Brandon’s homicide. They are asking anyone with information to do the right thing and come forward with what they know; even the smallest piece of information could be the key to progressing the investigation.

Anyone with information about Brandon’s homicide is asked to contact police at 902-490-5020.

Brandon’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 the 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.

File# 21-16414

Bible Hill man charged with child pornography offences

February 5, 2025, Bible Hill, Nova Scotia… The RCMP’s Provincial Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit has charged a Bible Hill man with child pornography offences.

On December 12, 2024, the ICE Unit and Digital Forensic Services, assisted by Colchester County District RCMP, searched a home on Pictou Rd. and seized electronic evidence.

Investigators were directed to the residence after an electronic service provider notified law enforcement that child pornography was being shared using their service.

As a result of the search and subsequent investigation, 48-year-old Adam Franklin was arrested on February 4. He’s been charged with Transmitting Child Pornography and Possessing Child Pornography (two counts).

Franklin, who’s also facing a previous charge of Invitation to Sexual Touching, was released by the courts on conditions. He’s scheduled to appear in Truro Provincial Court on March 12.

In Nova Scotia, it’s mandatory for citizens to report suspected child pornography; anyone who comes across child pornography material or recordings must report it to the police. Failure to report could result in penalties similar to those for failure to report child abuse under the Child and Family Services Act. Be a voice for children who are victims of sexual exploitation by reporting suspected offences to your local police or to Canada’s national tip line: www.cybertip.ca. Anonymous tips can be sent to Crime Stoppers at 1 800- 222 8477(TIPS) or via the P3 app or on line at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca.

File #: 2024-1640936

Police File: 2025004357

In the morning of Wednesday, January 22, 2025, Sydney Mines Fire Dept. extinguished a shed fire to which he believed to be suspicious. Anyone with any information about this shed fire are asked to call Cape Breton Regional Police at 902 563 5151.

Anonymous tips can be left at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca or tipsters can call Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222 8477 (TIPS) or can use the P3 app.

On January 27, 2025, t 5:47 p.m., Halifax Regional Police responded to a vehicle & pedestrian collision at Robie Street / Veterans Memorial Lane Halifax.  The pedestrian sustained life-threating injuries and has been transported to the hospital.    Police received reports that the same vehicle was involved in another collision near Beech Steet / Jubilee Road.  The driver, an adult male, has been arrested for Dangerous Operation of a Conveyance.  Investigators with Patrol, Accident Investigation Section and Forensic Identification Section are conducting the investigation, which is in the early stages. 

Traffic Blocked: Traffic is blocked in both directions on Jubilee Road and Veterans Memorial Lane between Beech Street and Summer Street.  Robie Street is blocked in both directions at Jubilee Road and Veterans Memorial Lane.  Traffic will remain blocked for an extended period while investigators process the scene.  

Police are asking anyone 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.

January 28, 2024, Meteghan River, Nova Scotia… Meteghan RCMP has charged a man in relation to firearms offences, drug trafficking and possession of unstamped tobacco as part of a drug trafficking investigation that began in December 2024.

On January 24, Meteghan RCMP, with assistance of the Southwest Nova Street Crime Enforcement Unit (SCEU), Nova Scotia RCMP Police Dog Services, and the Department of Service Nova Scotia, executed a search warrant on a residence located in Meteghan River.

Officers safely arrested a man and seized a quantity of cocaine, psilocybin (magic mushrooms), unstamped cigarettes, and two firearms plus ammunition.

Yvon Jean Paul Lacombe, 52, of Meteghan, has been charged with: 

• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (cocaine)
• Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm (2 counts)
• Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized (2 counts)
• Careless Use of Firearm (2 counts)
• Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose (2 counts)
• Possession of Weapon Obtained by Commission of Offence (2 counts)
• Selling, etc., of Tobacco Products and Raw Leaf Tobacco
• Possession a tobacco product not stamped (Excise Act)

Lacombe was released on conditions pending a first court appearance at Yarmouth Provincial Court scheduled for March 21, 2025.

Nova Scotians are encouraged to contact their nearest RCMP detachment or local police to report crime, including the illegal sale of drugs, in their communities. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submitting a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or using the P3 Tips app. File #: 2024-1835106

Colchester County District RCMP charge man wanted on province-wide arrest warrant after he flees police

January 31, 2025, Colchester County, Nova Scotia… Colchester County District RCMP has charged a man wanted for multiple offences after he fled from police. 

At approximately 10 a.m. on January 30,Colchester County District RCMP observed a vehicle in Lower Truro associated to a man who was wanted in relation to intimate partner violence related offences, and who has pending charges for multiple firearms offences.

Officers attempted a traffic stop on Hwy. 236 in Lower Truro. The vehicle didn’t stop and continued at a high rate of speed. Officers followed the vehicle. The RCMP Emergency Response Team (ERT) and Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables (DNRR) air services were called in to assist.  

   Responding officers deployed spike belts on Hwy. 236 then on Hwy. 215 in East Hants to stop the vehicle. The suspect vehicle was damaged but was able to continue fleeing police.  

  From Hwy. 215, the suspect vehicle accessed the shoulder of Hwy. 102 then traveled northbound in the southbound lanes. With the assistance of DNRR air services, the vehicle was observed attempting to turn around and head south in the southbound lane.  

At this time, the vehicle was intercepted on Hwy. 102 between Exit 11 and Exit 12 by the RCMP ERT and Police Dog Services. Officers safely arrested the driver, 33-year-old Stephen Joseph “Dakota” Maloney, and the passenger.  

Officers learned the passenger was a victim; they were released from custody. Maloney reported minor injuries and was transported to hospital by EHS.

“We understand how unsettling it must’ve been for those travelling along Hwy. 102 and witnessed the suspect vehicle driving erratically in the wrong direction,” says Supt. Sean Auld, Officer in Charge of Support Services. “Our officers continually assessed the situation from a public safety perspective, and working in collaboration with DNRR, officers relied on their training to safely stop the vehicle and arrest the offender.” 

Maloney has been charged with: 

• Flight from Peace Officer 
• Dangerous Operation 
• Operation While Prohibited 
• Forcible Confinement 
• Failure to Comply with Order 

He appeared in Truro Provincial Court on January 30 and was remanded into custody pending future court appearances.

The investigation, led by the Colchester County District RCMP with assistance of RCMP Police Dog Services, is ongoing.  

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Colchester County District RCMP at 902-893-6820. To remain 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 # 2025-134744  

January 30, 2025, New Germany, Nova Scotia… Lunenburg County District RCMP is seeking the public’s assistance in relation to a series of break and enters that have recently occurred in New Germany and Barss Corner.

On January 27, at approximately 2:48 a.m., Lunenburg County District RCMP was called to a gas station in Barss Corner where at least one person tried to enter the business, triggering the business’s alarm. No items were taken but the building was damaged during the break and enter.

Later that morning, Lunenburg County District RCMP responded to a workshop in Barss Corner where at least one person had gained access to the shop overnight and taken approximately $8,000 of tools.

On January 29, Lunenburg County District RCMP members were called to a business in New Germany where at least one person had entered the business overnight and took approximately $4,000 of equipment.

There is no suspect description available at this time. Lunenburg County District RCMP, with assistance of RCMP Forensic Identification Services, is investigating and asking the public to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity in the area.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Lunenburg County District RCMP at 902-527-5555. 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.

Files #: 2025-118958, 2025-119259 and 2025-129348