Category: Broadcast

Police have charged a Dartmouth man with child exploitation and firearms offences.

On May 21, information was received from the US National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that a 10-year-old girl in the United States was in correspondence with a Canadian male believed to be an adult.

Communication between the two began in January 2025 and continued over various social media platforms, including Slowly and Snapchat. The man presented himself as a 15-year-old boy and the conversations included inappropriate sexual content. He also mailed the girl handwritten letters and gifts. 

The Halifax Integrated Child Exploitation Unit worked closely with the Lakeshore Regional Child Advocacy Center in Wisconsin to further the investigation.

On June 5, investigators executed a search warrant at a residence on Gaston Road in Dartmouth where electronic devices and firearms were seized. The suspect was arrested without incident.

John Aaron Shute, 42, has been remanded into custody. He will be scheduled to appear in Dartmouth provincial court at a later date to face charges of:

• Luring a child under 16
• Making child pornography
• Possession of child pornography
• Failure to comply with order
• Breach of probation order in relation to children (x2)
• Firearms related offences (x5)

The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be laid.

Anyone with information about suspected child exploitation is asked to contact 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.

There is no statute of limitation on sexual assaults. Anyone who has been the victim of a sexual assault is encouraged to contact police. Victims will be treated with compassion, dignity and respect throughout the entire investigative process.

25-71397

 Police are investigating a child being approached by a stranger in Dartmouth.

 On Saturday, May 31, between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., a 6-year-old child was approached by an unknown man on Bow Street in Dartmouth. The man offered the child candy and a drive. The child refused and ran into his home.

 The driver is described as a white man, approximately 45 to 55-years-old, balding black hair and no facial hair. The man was driving a beige convertible. At the time of the incident, the vehicle’s roof was down. 

The incident was reported to police yesterday. 

 Anyone with information or video from the area of Bow Street and Marcs Way between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on May 31 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.

25-78255

On Wednesday, May 21st, 2025, at approximately 02:55 hours police were dispatched to 20 Beech Street, North Sydney, NS for a report of a residential structure fire. Dispatch advised from the information they received everyone was out of the apartment complex.

Upon arrival, at approximately 03:05 hours, police observed the residence fully engulfed. Police located one of the tenants standing outside of her vehicle parked near the intersection of Victoria/Beech. tenant advised the following:

• “I smelled smoke that’s what woke me up”
• “The other tenant was screaming to Aaron to help her out”
• Aaron Maxwell lives in the apartment in the back
• There are three units total
• “Don’t know the other tenants, but did see them get out of the house”
• The female jumped out of the upstairs window (18 Beech) at the front of the house, and Aaron caught her
• tenant got both her children and ran out of the house
• Once out of the residence, tenant  put her children in her vehicle, and drove it out of the driveway
• Tenant didn’t know where the other tenants went after that

     Deputy Fire Marshall attended scene and noted it as a suspicious fire.

Anyone with information on the fire is asked to call Cape Breton Regional Police-5060. To remain anonymous, contact 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.

May 28, 2025, Lansdowne Station, Nova Scotia… As the missing persons investigation into the disappearance of Lilly and Jack Sullivan continues, the RCMP is appealing to the public for additional video footage.

Investigators have collected hours of video from the areas surrounding Lansdowne Station.

“Based on the details we’ve gathered so far, we’ve confirmed that Lilly and Jack were observed in public with family members on the afternoon of May 1,” says Cpl. Sandy Matharu, Northeast Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit. “We’re now asking anyone who has dashcam footage or video along Gairloch Rd. between 12 p.m. on April 28 and 12 p.m. on May 2 to contact us.”

Investigators remain committed to exploring all possibilities surrounding the children’s disappearance. To date, more than 355 tips have been received and are being followed up on. RCMP officers have also formally interviewed over 50 people, with more interviews planned in the coming days.

Investigative work is ongoing following a large-scale ground and air search that began immediately after the children were reported missing on May 2. Hundreds of searchers, multiple dogs, a variety of drones, an underwater recovery team and several aircraft scoured a heavily wooded 5.5 square kilometre area before search efforts were scaled back on May 7. Additional searches took place on May 8, May 9, May 17 and May 18. Any future searches will be determined based on the course of the investigation.

“RCMP officers from various teams are fully engaged in finding out what happened to Lilly and Jack, and we’re using all tools and resources to determine the circumstances of their disappearance,” says Cpl. Matharu. “We understand people’s desire for answers and updates. However, as this is an active investigation, we’re unable to discuss details of our ongoing work.”

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Lilly and Jack, or who has video footage to share with police, is asked to call the Northeast Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit at 902-896-5060. To remain anonymous, contact 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 #: 2025-583775

May 28, 2025, Bay St. Lawrence, Nova Scotia… Victoria County District RCMP is investigating a break and enter in Bay St. Lawrence involving the theft of firearms.

On April 15, Victoria County District RCMP received a report of a break and enter believed to have occurred the day before at an unoccupied seasonal property on Bay St. Lawrence Rd. Through the investigation, officers determined that three firearms, a 12-gauge shotgun, 30-30 rifle and 303 rifle, were among the items taken. The guns were stored in a locked cabinet, which was damaged in the incident, and all included trigger locks.

Investigators are asking anyone who may have information about this incident or the whereabouts of the firearms to contact Ingonish Beach RCMP Detachment at 902-285-2021. 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 # 2025-496646

May 27, 2025, Hebron, Nova Scotia… Yarmouth Rural RCMP Detachment is seeking information in relation to shots fired in Hebron.

On May 27 at approximately 2:40 a.m., Yarmouth Rural RCMP Detachment received a report of shots fired at a residence on Greenville Rd. The incident resulted in damage to the home.

There were no reports of injuries.

As part of the ongoing investigation, officers would like to hear from anyone with surveillance video or doorbell cameras showing Hwy. 1 (south from Greenville Rd.) and Main St. in Yarmouth between 2:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. on May 27. The investigation is being led by Yarmouth Rural RCMP Detachment with support from the RCMP Forensic Identification Section and RCMP Police Dog Services.

Anyone with information about this incident or video surveillance is asked to contact police at 902-742-9106. 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 #: 2025-722573

Today marks the 20-year anniversary of the murder of Leon Anthony Adams and homicide investigators in the Special Investigation Section of the Integrated Criminal Investigation Division continue to investigate the case.

At 4:20 a.m. on May 22, 2005, police responded to a report of an injured person in a residence at 6025 Lady Hammond Road in Halifax. Upon arrival, they discovered Leon lying in a hallway suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to hospital by ambulance where he was pronounced deceased. 

The investigation has revealed that Leon had been home earlier in the evening on May 21, 2005. It’s believed that he left the residence for a brief period sometime after midnight before returning to his home, where he was shot.

Investigators believe that there are people who have information that could help solve his murder. With the passage of time, investigators 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 Leon’s murder to contact police at 902-490-5020.

Leon’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.

On Saturday March 29^th Enfield RCMP received a complaint of a stolen blue 2012 Chevrolet Cruze with NS maker GTN 587.  The vehicle was stolen near Andy Hayes Road / Hwy 236 between 2025/03/27 and 2025/03/29.

Anyone with any information about this theft can call Enfield RCMP at 902 883 7077. anonymous tips can be sent to www.crimestoppers.ns.ca or 1 800 222 8477(TIPS) or via the P3 app.

On May 3^RD, 2025, members of the CBRPS responded to a suspicious house fire at 75 Harold Street, Sydney, CBRM.  Anyone with any information about this arson is asked to call Cape Breton Regional Police at 902-563-5151. Anonymous tips can be sent to Crime Stoppers at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca or can be called in at 1 800 222 8477 (TIPS) or can use the P3 app.

CBRPS File: 2025026338

May 12, 2025, Upper Nappan, Nova Scotia… The Cumberland County Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit (SCEU) seized quantities of illicit drugs and charged a woman as part of an ongoing drug trafficking investigation.

On May 5, the Cumberland County Integrated SCEU, with assistance of Cumberland County District RCMP, executed a search warrant at a property on Hwy. 2 in Upper Nappan as part of an ongoing drug trafficking investigation.

Officers safely arrested a woman and seized quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine (crystal and tablets), oxycodone, cocaine, prescription drugs, unstamped cannabis and cash. Officers also seized a conducted energy weapon and drug paraphernalia.

Toni Cree Loppie, 51, of Upper Nappan, has been charged with:

• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (seven counts)
• Possession of Unstamped Cannabis
• Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose
• Possession of Prohibited Weapon
• Possession of Prohibited Weapon knowing Possession Unauthorized
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime

Loppie was released from custody by the court and is scheduled to appear in Amherst Provincial Court on July 7 at 9:30 a.m.

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.

Notes:

• The Cumberland County Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit includes members of the Cumberland County District RCMP and the Amherst Police Department.
• A photo of the items seized is attached.

File: 2024-1802880