Help the RCMP identify persons of interest in shoplifting investigations

March 19, 2023, Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia… Halifax District RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying persons of interest in shoplifting investigations.

Yesterday, at approximately 12:08 p.m., a woman entered a drug store on Forest Hills Pky. in Cole Harbour. Soon after, another woman and a man entered the store. They are believed to be involved in the theft of 18 bottles of fragrance with a total retail value of more than $2,000. The first woman appeared between 18 to 25-years-old, approximately 5-foot-3 and brown hair. The man, approximate height of 5-foot-10 was described as having brown facial hair and wearing thick framed eyeglasses. The woman with the man is described as 5-foot-6 and brown hair.

The same three individuals were seen less than an hour later at another drug store on Portland St. in Dartmouth but left without incident. These persons are also persons of interest in recent thefts of similar nature in both New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the 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.

Police investigate suspicious circumstances

Police are investigating suspicious circumstances that occurred last night in Halifax.

At approximately 9 p.m. a woman was driving on Highway 102 outbound near Lacewood Drive when another vehicle drove behind her with red and white emergency lights activated. The woman pulled over to the side of the road and the driver of the other vehicle pulled in behind her with the emergency lights still activated.

The woman and her passenger became concerned that the vehicle and its lights did not look like a real police vehicle. They did the right thing and called 911 as they drove away.

The driver of the vehicle is described as man in his 30s with a dark moustache. The vehicle is described as a black sedan with black tinted windows and red and white lights near the top of the windshield.

The incident remains under investigation.

Police are asking anyone with information in relation to this incident or video from the area 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.

Police warn citizens of new extortion scam

Halifax Regional Police have recently received a number of reports in relation to a new extortion scam circulating in the Halifax area.

Scammers call or text victims, accuse them of attempting to use an escort service and demand payment. The scammers then claim to be members of a “cartel” and send graphic photos depicting violence. They threaten to harm the victim or their loved ones if they do not respond and/or deliver the money.

Police believe the scammers are randomly contacting people and the people targeted have not necessarily contacted an escort service. This scam, which has circulated in other parts of the country, is an attempt to intimidate and pressure people into providing money.

Police advise anyone who receives a similar call or text to not respond or provide any money or personal information. Police also recommend you block the number and avoid opening unsolicited text messages from unfamiliar numbers.

You should contact police at 902-490-5020 to file a report if you are concerned for your safety or have lost money as a result of this scam.

You can report a scam where you haven’t been a victim to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by calling 1-888-495-8501.

More information and scam prevention tips are available at:

Halifax District RCMP investigate theft of equipment from local business

March 11, 2023, East Preston, Nova Scotia… Halifax District RCMP are investigating the theft two Bobcat skid steers.

The skid steers, with a total value of $40,000, were stolen sometime between 5 p.m. on March 10 and 8 a.m. on March 11. They were taken from a business on Tiffany Court in East Preston.

Anyone with information on this theft is asked to contact 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 #: 2023-29282

Digby RCMP seeking information in suspicious fire investigation

March 8, 2023, Bear River First Nation, Nova Scotia…Digby RCMP is seeking information related to a suspicious fire that occurred in Bear River First Nation in May 2022.

On May 13, 2022, at approximately 1:15 a.m., Digby RCMP and fire responded to a report of structure fire on Reservation Rd. on the Bear River First Nation. Upon arrival at the scene RCMP officers observed the building was fully engulfed and the fire department was working on extinguishing it. Once the fire was extinguished it was determined that the building was a total loss.

The fire has been determined to be suspicious and investigators are seeking information from the public to help move the investigation forward. Investigators have collected evidence and information throughout the investigation, however all leads at this point have been exhausted.

Investigators also continue to seek to identify the people that were in a vehicle that drove by the scene as they may be possible witnesses. Investigators are re-releasing two short videos showing the vehicle driving near the area at the time the fire occurred.

Anyone with information on this vehicle, or on the fire, is asked to contact Digby RCMP at 902-245-2579. 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 #: 2022-617795

Meteghan RCMP investigating two suspicious incidents involving mannequins

March 6, 2023, New Edinburgh, Nova Scotia…Meteghan RCMP is investigating incidents involving mannequins that have been hung from overpasses on Hwy. 101.

On March 4, at approximately 9:25 p.m., Meteghan RCMP responded to a report of a vehicle that had struck a mannequin hanging from a Hwy. 101 overpass in New Edinburgh. The vehicle, which was an ambulance, was travelling on New Edinburgh Rd. when it struck the low-hanging mannequin. The ambulance sustained significant damage to its windshield and was no longer operable. The two paramedics and patient in the vehicle were not injured.

Responding officers removed the mannequin from the guardrail of the overpass. The mannequin was dressed in orange clothing and was marked with “Justice for Vernon”.

Meteghan RCMP believes this incident is connected to a previous incident that occurred on February 25 in Little Brook. In this instance, Meteghan RCMP responded to a report of a suspicious object resembling a person hanging from a Hwy. 101 overpass onto Little Brook Rd.

Responding officers quickly identified the object as a mannequin and removed it from the overpass. The mannequin was dressed in a sweater, blue jeans and shoes.

Investigations into both incidents are underway. Investigators are asking anyone with information on these incidents to contact Meteghan RCMP at 902-645-2326. 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 #’s: 2023-293457, 2023-259552