Category: Broadcast

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:

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

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

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

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

Help the RCMP find driver of large truck involved in motor vehicle collision

February 26, 2023, Melvern Square, Annapolis County, Nova Scotia . . . Annapolis District RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance to locate the driver of a large truck involved in a motor vehicle collision in Melvern on Friday, February 24.

At 12:03 p.m. RCMP responded to a motor vehicle collision involving a small SUV and a large truck on Hwy 101 near distance marker 178 in Melvern Square.  Responding officers learned the driver of the SUV struck the truck from behind.  The highway was slippery with white-out conditions at the time. 

The truck continued traveling eastbound. The driver of the truck may not have realized the rear of the truck had been struck.

The passenger in the SUV was transported to hospital by EHS. The driver of the SUV incurred minor injury. 

The truck is described as a transport truck that may have a dump trailer. The back of the truck may have sustained some damage in the collision.

Annapolis District RCMP is asking for the driver of the truck or anyone who may have information that could help locate the driver to contact them at 902-665-4481. 

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 file# 2023-252479 refers

Today marks the first anniversary of the disappearance of Devon Sinclair Marsman and the Special Investigation Section of the Integrated Criminal Investigation Division continues to investigate the case.

Devon was last seen February 24, 2022, in the Spryfield area of Halifax. Devon is described as an African Nova Scotian youth, approximately 5′ tall, 100 lbs., with blue-green eyes, and short dark hair.

Investigators in the Integrated Criminal Investigation Division believe Devon’s disappearance is suspicious and that there are people who have information in relation to Devon that they have not shared with police. 

Investigators are asking anyone with information on Devon’s whereabouts, to call police at 902-490-5020.

Devon’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.

GO# 22-25658

Police are investigating a suspicious fire that occurred at a retail business today in Dartmouth.

At approximately 9:30 a.m. officers responded, along with Halifax Fire and Emergency, to a report of a fire at Walmart located at 90 Lamont Terrace. Upon police arrival, staff and customers had evacuated the store after the fire alarm sounded. At this time, investigators believe that the fire was deliberately set inside of a washroom in the store. There are no reported injuries.

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.

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.

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