Category: Crime Of The Week

Human Trafficking Awareness Day

February 22 is Human Trafficking Awareness Day, and the integrated Human Trafficking Team is sharing information on what you can do to stop human trafficking in our community. 

Human trafficking is a criminal offence that involves controlling, forcing, intimidating, or deceiving a person of any age in order to exploit them through various forms of sexual exploitation or forced labour. Investigators in the Human Trafficking Team focus on targeting those who are responsible for coercing people into the sex trade.

We need the public’s assistance to stop the exploitation of people in our community. You can help prevent human trafficking by:

• Being informed about the issue
• Knowing the signs of human trafficking and sexual exploitation
• Contacting police if someone you know is being trafficked

If you witness suspicious activity you think may be linked to human trafficking, you should:

• Not intervene. You may put yourself and others at risk if you intervene. You could also inadvertently interfere with an ongoing investigation.
  • Record all relevant information, including names, dates, time, location, descriptions of people and vehicles.
• Report it:
  • 911 to report a situation where someone’s life is at risk or they require immediate assistance.
  • 902.490.5020 to report an incident and have an officer follow up with you.
  • 1.800.222.8477 to make an anonymous tip to Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers.

The integrated Human Trafficking Team wants victims of human trafficking to know that police are here to help. Our first priority is the safety of victims. Members of the Human Trafficking Team work with community partners to support victims, address their specific needs and get them to safety. Victims will be treated with dignity and respect and their safety will remain our primary goal. We want to assure victims that the decision to participate in the investigation is theirs and we will respect their wishes.

If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking:

• To reach out for support or share information:
  • Call:
    • 902-490-5142 to contact the integrated Human Trafficking Team. Please note this line is not monitored 24/7. To file a report and have an officer follow up with you, please call 902.490.5020. If safety is of immediate concern, please call 911.
    • 902-449-2425 to contact the Nova Scotia Human Trafficking Team, 24/7.
  • Visit the Trafficking and Exploitation Services system website for a list of non-profit and government agencies that have specialized knowledge and training on the issue of human trafficking.
    
• For more information on the human trafficking, visit:

• halifax.ca/human-trafficking
• Trafficking and Exploitation Services System (TESS): https://www.tessns.ca

Monday marks the second anniversary of the murder of Joseph Beals, and the Special Investigation Section of the Integrated Criminal Investigation Division continues to investigate the case.

On February 20, 2021, at approximately 2:10 p.m., Halifax Regional Police responded to reports of a single vehicle crash into a utility pole at the intersection of Mount Edward Road and Cranberry Crescent in Dartmouth. The driver, Joseph Beals, had suffered gun shot wounds. He was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries where he died. 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 Joseph’s murder. 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 into Joseph’s murder.

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

Joseph’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.

Police are investigating an incident of identity theft that started last year in Bedford and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the suspects.

On December 12, 2022, police received a report of a number of individuals attempting to use a man’s identity to open and use bank accounts that had been created in his name without his knowledge.

At this time, investigators have two suspects who have yet to be identified. The first suspect is described as a white man in his 30s to 40s, approximately 5’10” tall, 180 lbs., short brown hair that is shaved on the sides, a goatee, and glasses.

The second suspect is a Black man in his 30s to 40s, approximately 5’10” tall, 180 lbs., short black hair and a beard.

Anyone with information about the incident or the suspect’s identity 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 using the P3 Tips App.

22-151275

February 17, 2023, South Rawdon, Nova Scotia…East Hants District RCMP is investigating vandalism to a church on Cross 3 Rd. in South Rawdon.

On February 12, 2023, East Hants District RCMP responded to a report of vandalism to a church on Cross 3 Rd. in South Rawdon. RCMP officers learned that someone had spray painted swastikas and unknown lettering on the side of the church. It is believed that the vandalism occurred overnight between February 11 and 12. Based on the initial investigation, the incident is believed to be a hate-motivated and the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact East Hants District RCMP at 902-883-7077. 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 #: 2023-197829

Police are requesting assistance in identifying the suspect of a theft of a motor vehicle that occurred in Dartmouth last year.

On December 21 police received a report of a man who stole a truck that was parked in the area of Borden Avenue. The suspect arrived in a white Chrysler 300, which left the area after dropping him off. The suspect stole the truck and left the area.

The suspect is described as a white man with a beard and was wearing a black jacket with a white triangular logo on the left bicep, grey sweatpants and dark shoes.

Anyone with information about the incident, video from the area or the suspect’s identity 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 using the P3 Tips App.

Police are investigating a robbery that occurred in Halifax.

At approximately 3:43 p.m., officers responded to the report of a robbery that occurred in the 5500 block of Spring Garden Road.  A male entered the business and demanded money.  The suspect is described as a white male, late 20’s, wearing a red Nike track suit with white stripe down the arms and legs, dark colored toque, grey and black backpack, green sunglasses, camo style face mask.  The male had a large black handgun with him at the time of the robbery.  Male left the business on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash and headed toward Robie Street.  

Anyone with information about this incident or video from the areas 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 using the P3 Tips App.

February 14, 2023, Springhill, Nova Scotia…Cumberland County District RCMP continue to investigate the suspicious disappearance of Jessie Morrissey.

On February 14, 2022, Jessie Morrissey was reported missing. He was last seen near snowmobile Trail 104 in Leamington on February 13 at 9:30 p.m. Morrissey has not been seen or heard from since.

Cumberland County District RCMP believes that there are people who have information that may lead to finding out more about the circumstances of Morrissey’s disappearance.

Cumberland County District RCMP has so far led multiple days of ground and air searches with assistance from local Ground Search and Rescue Teams, RCMP Police Dog Services and Air Services; interviewed more than 40 people with assistance from the RCMP’s Interview Assistance Team and Northeast Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit; and executed Record Access Orders and Search Warrants to collect evidence.

Each time information or a tip is received, investigators follow up to find out more about the circumstances of Morrissey’s disappearance.

If you have information about this investigation, please contact the investigative team at 902-667-3859. 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 #: 2022-193075

Police are advising citizens to be cautious of a scam targeting seniors that is continuing to occur throughout our region.

Investigators from the Financial Crime Unit of the Integrated Criminal Investigation Division have received more than 44 reports over the last few months in relation to a scam intended to defraud seniors of their money. In total, it is believed that the scammers have defrauded victims of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

In each incident, the victim received a call from someone pretending to be a family member who indicated that they had been arrested and are in jail. Another person representing themselves to be from the legal system became involved in the call and informed the victim that they need to pay money to have their loved one released from custody.

In some of the cases, the suspect then arranged to pick up the money in person. The suspect is described as a Black man in his 20s to 30s, approximately 6’ tall with short dark hair and glasses.

In two instances, the suspect(s) have identified themselves as a police officer. We are advising citizens that police will never make this type of call. If you receive a call from someone representing themselves as a police officer and they request money for bail, this is a scam. Do not provide or confirm any personal or financial information and hang up the phone.

Police remind people to be suspicious of any emails or calls asking for money and to make sure the caller is legitimate before providing any money. You should not give personal information to anyone, whether solicitation occurs by email, telephone or in person, unless you have initiated the contact or you are certain of the identity of the individual and/or the legitimacy of the organization they claim to represent.

Call police at 902-490-5016 if you’ve lost money or your identity has been compromised as the result of a scam. You can report a scam where you haven’t been a victim to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, or call 1-888-495-8501.

More information and scam prevention tips are available at:

• Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre 
• Halifax Regional Police fraud prevention 

Police are investigating a suspicious circumstance that occurred in Halifax last week.

On February 10 at approximately 1:30 a.m. a man ran toward a group of people who were walking in Point Pleasant Park and continued to chase them to their vehicle. The group left the park, and no one was injured.

The man is described as approximately 6’2” tall, 200 lbs. and was wearing a black trench coat, a black shirt and a ski mask at the time of the incident.

Anyone with information about the incident 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 using the P3 Tips App.

Police are continuing to investigate a shooting that occurred in Halifax last night.

At approximately 7:35 p.m. officers responded to a report of a shooting in the area of the 2400 block of Gottingen Street in Halifax. Officers located a man who had been shot. He was transported to hospital with what are believed to be life threatening injuries.

A number of streets in the area were closed to allow officers to conduct the investigation. All streets have been reopened and officers are no longer on the scene.

The investigation is ongoing by members of the General Investigation Section of the Integrated Criminal Investigation Division. Investigators are asking anyone with information about the 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 using the P3 Tips App.