Category: Broadcast

 

Police are warning the public of a highly potent synthetic opioid that was seized in a drug trafficking investigation in Halifax last month.

Over a two-week period in February, investigators in the Guns and Gangs Unit of the Integrated Criminal Investigation Division, assisted by members from the Drug Unit, West Division Quick Response Unit, Emergency Response Team, Criminal Investigative Unit and Patrol Division conducted a number of searches in relation to a drug trafficking investigation. Through the investigation, investigators conducted a search of a residence on Dentith Road on February 12 and seized multiple items including approximately 1900 unknown pills.

As part of our standard protocol, the drugs were sent to Health Canada for analysis. Health Canada confirm that the tablets are isotonitazene, a synthetic opioid similar to but stronger than fentanyl. This is the first seizure of this drug in Halifax.

The pills were a white triangle shape with “M” scored on one side and “8” scored on the other. The appearance of the pill may lead people to believe they are consuming a different drug. Given the potency of the drug, a person may need several doses of naloxone to counter an overdose caused by isotonitazene.

Police are urging anyone who consumes the drug to seek immediate medical assistance.

More information on opioids is available at:

• https://novascotia.ca/opioid/
• https://www.canada.ca/en/services/health/campaigns/drug-prevention.html

RCMP arrests two people following firearm incident

March 3, 2020, Fall River, Nova Scotia…Halifax District RCMP has arrested two people following the report of a firearm near a school yesterday.

On March 2 shortly after noon, Halifax District RCMP got a report of a man in possession of a firearm on a path near Lockview High School in Fall River. Police attended the school, ensured everyone was safe and began searching for the suspect.

Police then got information that there were two people together on the path and one was holding the firearm. Police were able to identify the suspects and contacted them by phone. The suspects gave their location and police went there, arresting the suspects without incident at a business on Fall River Rd.

Neither person had the firearm but they told police where it could be found. The firearm was recovered with assistance of the Halifax Regional Police K9 Unit.

A home on Fall River Rd. was searched and additional weapons and ammunition were seized.

The 15-year-old youth from Halifax is charged with:

• Unsafe Storage of a Firearm
• Possession of Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
• Carrying a Concealed Weapon
• Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
• Possession of a Firearm Knowing it is Unauthorized
• Possession of a Restricted or Prohibited Firearm with Ammunition
• Manufacture of a Firearm

Colby Ivan James Chaulk, 18, of Fall River, is charged with:

• Unsafe Storage of a Firearm,
• Possession of Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
• Carrying Concealed Weapon
• Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
• Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Weapon
• Possession of a Firearm Knowing it is Unauthorized
• Possession of a Prohibited Weapon Knowing it is Unauthorized
• Possession of a Restricted or Prohibited Firearm with Ammunition
• Manufacture of a Firearm

Both people were held in custody and are scheduled to appear in court today. The youth will appear in Halifax Provincial Youth Court and Chaulk will appear in Dartmouth Provincial Court.

The investigation is ongoing and being led by the General Investigation Section of the RCMP/HRP Integrated Criminal Investigation Division.

Police file # 20-29016 refers.

 

 

 

March 3, 2020, Hopewell, Pictou County, Nova Scotia… Pictou County RCMP are searching for four suspects after an alleged home invasion in Hopewell, Pictou County.

RCMP were called just before 4 a.m. on February 27, to a home on Stellarton Trafalgar Rd. The homeowner heard someone entering the home through the back door, he went to check and the suspects sprayed him with a sensory irritant. The homeowner managed to exit the house and was able to see four suspects fleeing to a waiting vehicle. All suspects were wearing masks to hide their identity.

Police believe that the suspects had already been in the house during which they were able to steal car keys, garage door openers, and a Ruger .22 Calibre rifle. The rifle is pink and black camouflage coloured and has a Burris scope installed.

The homeowner called 911 and police responded to the area however no suspects or fleeing vehicle were located.

Police are reminding residents to secure their properties which may include locking your doors, the use of home security alarms and following the #9PMROUTINE.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Pictou District RCMP at 902-755-4141. 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.

The investigation is continuing.

File # 2020-276012

March 3, 2020, Limerock, Pictou County, Nova Scotia… Pictou County RCMP are searching for a vehicle and driver after a hit and run on Hwy. 104 near Limerock.

At approximately 10 p.m. on February 22, Pictou District RCMP responded to a complaint of a pedestrian hit and run on Hwy. 104 near Limerock. A 39-year-old Pictou County man was walking westbound on the highway and was struck from behind by a westbound vehicle, which did not stop. No description of the vehicle was obtained. The pedestrian was transported to hospital and is recovering from non-life threatening injuries to his leg.

The investigation is continuing.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Pictou District RCMP at 902-755-4141. 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 # 2020-255876

Help RCMP solve assault with a weapon

March 1, 2020, Braeshore, Pictou County, Nova Scotia… Pictou District RCMP is asking for the public’s help to solve an assault with a weapon that occurred last night in Braeshore, Pictou County.

Just after midnight on March 1, RCMP responded to a report of a man with a stab wound. The man was seen walking around the Pictou Rotary with no shoes or shirt on. The victim, a 39-year-old from Braeshore was taken to hospital via EHS with non-life threatening injuries.

Initial investigation determined that the assault took place at a home on Three Brooks Rd.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Pictou District RCMP at 902-755-4141. 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.

Two people arrested for stealing copper wire

February 28, 2020, Pictou County, Nova Scotia . . . In August 2019, police began receiving reports of thefts of copper wire from Nova Scotia Power (NSP) substations in Pictou County. During the time between October 2019 to February 2020, police responded to calls of break and enters into NSP substations continued with additional incidents outside Pictou County including Windsor, Fort Ellis, Lunenburg, and Port Hawkesbury. Investigators from the Pictou County Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit (SCEU) looked into the matter.

A detailed investigation identified Jonathan Buell and Miranda Sprague, both of Stellarton, as suspects for some of these incidents. Police also determined that Sprague was the owner of a grey 2006 Chevrolet Equinox, and that Buell and Sprague were frequently associated to that vehicle.

On February 22, just after 6 p.m., police followed the suspects from Stellarton to Cape Breton, stopping in Aberdeen on Hwy. 105. Police went to the substation, and arrested Jonathan Buell and Miranda Sprague. Buell was inside the fenced area, and was standing near live NSP equipment. He had break-in tools and evidence of copper wire thefts with him. Sprague was arrested outside the fenced-in area. Police also seized Sprague’s Equinox which was parked nearby.

Jonathan Buell has been charged with Possession of Break-In Instruments, Break, Enter and Commit an Indictable Offence, and Possession of Stolen Property. Miranda Sprague has been charged with Break, Enter, and Commit an Indictable Offence and Possession of Stolen Property. Both were held in custody and appeared in Port Hawkesbury Provincial Court On February 25. They were released and are scheduled to return to court on March 30.

Paul Casey, Nova Scotia Power Vice President of Transmission, Distribution and Delivery, says a significant amount of live wire has been stolen from electrical equipment, at great risk to both personal and public safety.

“Live wire can carry more than 25,000 volts of electricity so there is a very high risk of electrocution,” said Casey. “A charge from that wire would be life threatening or fatal for anyone in the vicinity and can cause significant damage to our equipment. Not to mention, removing the wire can generate an unstable electrical current for nearby customers and create dangerous working conditions for our crews.”

Theft of copper and other metals are a significant crimes that effect the public who ends up paying for such thefts when wires are replaced and repaired. Police are asking anyone that may have information about such crimes to contact local police or  contact Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477).

On February 28, 2020 at 8:35pm Halifax Regional Police received a call of a robbery that had occurred in the 200 block of Chain Lake Dr, Halifax.  A man entered a business and demanded cash from the employee.  The man motioned that he had a weapon but none was seen.

He was described as 6’0″ tall with a black and white bandana over his face. He also wore black hoody and black pants.  Age and race of the man is unknown.   He fled the scene on foot and was able to get an undisclosed amount of cash.  No one was injured as a result of the incident.

HRP is asking anyone that may have witnessed the incident or that may have information to contact them at 902-490-5020 or contact Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477). Police file:  2020-27942 refers.

Man and woman charged with First Degree Murder

February 28, 2020, Head of Jeddore, Nova Scotia…The Homicide Unit of the Integrated Criminal Investigation Division has charged a man and a woman with First Degree Murder in relation to the death of a 45-year-old man whose remains were found on West Jeddore Road.

In the early morning of February 27, Halifax District RCMP got information that led to human remains near the West Jeddore Rd.

Later that morning, 48-year-old Dana Matthew Wolfe and 38-year-old Kelly Ann Stewart, both from Head of Jeddore, were arrested without incident at a home on Faulkner Cres. They have both been charged with First Degree Murder and are scheduled to appear in Dartmouth Provincial Court today.

The victim has been identified as Jason Douglas Murphy of Head of Jeddore. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family during this difficult time.

Police do not believe this to be a random act.

The investigation is ongoing and being led by the Homicide Unit of the Integrated Criminal Investigation Division.

Anyone with information about this incident 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.

March 2, 2020, Bible Hill, Nova Scotia . . . Members of Colchester District RCMP’s Major Crimes unit are continuing to appeal to the public for information about the disappearance of Peter Anthony Walsh and the ongoing homicide investigation.

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 on January 20, evidence led investigators to re-focus on the matter as a homicide. Police have made several appeals to the public, including a video appeal by Tony’s family on December 12, 2019.

Tony Walsh would have been 36 years old on March 1, 2020. It has been just over six months since he disappeared. Investigators are reminding the public that any details about Tony’s disappearance may be important pieces of the investigation. Any tips and information can be provided to police 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 # 20191296351

Chéticamp area man charged for firearms and drug trafficking offences

February 25, 2020, Petit Étang, Nova Scotia . . . On February 21, members of Chéticamp Detachment were assisting another police agency by serving documents on a man in Petit Étang. Two police officers arrived at the home, and located the man. While serving the documents, they noticed several unsecured firearms and as a result, placed the man under arrest. In total, five unsecured firearms were seized. Further checks by police indicated the man did not have a firearms licence.

The man was taken to the detachment for processing, and police obtained a search warrant for the home later the same day. During the search, police officers located ammunition, and a significant quantity of methamphetamine pills. In addition, police located a quantity of what is believed to be cocaine, along with scales and drug paraphernalia related to drug trafficking.

Darren Cyril Pettipas, 33, of Petit Étang, is charged with:

• Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm (4 counts)
• Unsafe Storage of a Firearm (4 counts)
• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (2 counts)

Pettipas was held in custody and appeared in Port Hawkesbury Provincial Court on February 24. He was released and is scheduled to return to court on March 10.

Investigators  are asking anyone with information about this incident or other crimes to Cheticamp RCMP at 902-224-2050. 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 file # 2020249288 refers.