Police are looking for the public’s assistance in identifying a man in relation to a sexual assault that occurred in Halifax.

On June 18 police received a report of a sexual assault that had occurred in the area of a bus shelter on Titus Street between Evans Avenue and Main Avenue between 9:30 and 11:30 p.m. A man sexually assaulted a woman not believed to be known to him. The investigation is ongoing, and we are unable to provide further details at this time.

Investigators are asking anyone with information about the incident or video from the time of the incident 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.

Sexual assault investigations are complex. As part of our victim-centered, trauma-informed approach to sexualized violence, we work closely with victims to determine if they wish to proceed with an investigation and charges. Police must also ensure the victim’s privacy is upheld and their well-being is fully considered.

GO #20-69095

Police warn citizens of fraudulent phone calls

Halifax Regional Police is advising the public of a recent increase in fraudulent phone calls where a scammer identifies themselves as a police officer, or a representative of Service Canada or the Canada Revenue Agency.

A common theme of late involves the scammer advising the victim that a warrant has been issued and the police may already be on their way to arrest them. To avoid being arrested, the victim is directed to make a payment using gift cards or by transferring money to a bitcoin account. The scammers have been using spoofing methods to disguise their phone numbers as a local number and they may know the victim’s full name and/or contact information.

Police remind citizens that no member of a police or government agency will make this type of call, and no government agency will ask for payment in bitcoin or gift cards. This is a scam and you should hang up and not provide any information or payment.

What to do if you encounter a fraud:

• Be vigilant and don’t provide any money or financial or personal information until you have verified the legitimacy of the person or the organization they claim to represent. To check the legitimacy, contact the organization directly using information from an official website.
• Check the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre for information on current scams.
• Call police at 902.490.5016 if you’ve lost money or your identity has been compromised as a result of a fraud. You can report a scam where you haven’t been a victim to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

RCMP warn public about ransomware scams

June 16, 2020, Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia… RCMP is warning the public about a type of scam targeting businesses after a recent report received by Halifax District RCMP. Police received the report from a business that had their network hacked with ransomware. The hackers demanded $270,000 to reinstate their network.

Ransomware is malicious software, also known as malware, that infects a computer and denies users access to the system or data. A hacker will then demand a sum of money to have the information restored. The most common form of ransomware encrypts data. The victims of these scams typically receive an on-screen alert stating their files have been encrypted or a similar type of message, depending on the type of ransomware.

These scams often go unreported and although they may target non-for-profit organizations, municipalities, law firms, IT services, senior living centres and nursing homes, any business or individual could be a target.

Tips to protect yourself:

• Train and educate staff on good security practices
• Do not click on links or open attachments in e-mails sent by someone you don’t know
• Use a reputable security software suite
• Restrict administrative privilege
• Use strong passwords and change them often. Use multi-factor verification such as linking an account to a cell phone
• Keep back up networks separate from the primary one
• Ensure all software, including anti-virus software, is kept current on all computers, servers and devices
• Develop business continuity and incident response plans
• Do not negotiate with hackers and call police

Police want to remind the public that being scammed is never the victim’s fault and scammers can be very persuasive and convincing. If you think you may be a victim, please report to your local police and contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501. For more information, visit https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm.

File # 20-55283

Police have charged a man in relation to a stabbing that occurred in Halifax.

At approximately 5 p.m. on June 5 police responded to a weapons incident in the area of Creighton Street and Charles Street in Halifax. Officers who were in the area observed an altercation on the street and went to investigate. The investigation revealed that two men who are known to each other were standing outside talking when they were approached by a group of 3-4 people. An altercation ensued and one man who was part of the larger group stabbed the other two men with a knife.

The suspect and two victims are known to each other. The two men, aged 45 and 47, were transported to hospital with what were believed to be non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect was arrested at the scene without incident.

James Joseph Robinson, 43, of Halifax, is scheduled to appear in Halifax Provincial Court today to face charges of:

• Attempted murder (x2)
• Assault with a weapon (x2)
• Possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace
• Breach of an undertaking

He is also facing charges of assault with a weapon, uttering threats to cause bodily harm and possession for the purpose of trafficking (x2) in relation to a separate incident involving one of the victims that had occurred earlier in the day.

The investigation is ongoing, and investigators are asking anyone who has information on 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 using the P3 Tips App.

Police file 20-63601 refers

Police seek driver following erratic driving complaint resulting in a collision

At approximately 10:09 p.m. Halifax Regional Police responded to a driving complaint made by a citizen who reported an erratic driver in a white SUV near the intersection of Main Street and Major Street in Dartmouth. While en-route to the call a patrol member saw a vehicle matching the description on Main Street travelling at a high rate of speed without its lights on.

The officer observed the vehicle, a Jaguar F-Pace SUV proceed through a red light at the intersection of Main Street and Hartlen Avenue at a very high rate of speed where it almost collided with another vehicle.

The officer activated his patrol vehicle emergency equipment and attempted to conduct a traffic stop.  The driver refused to pull over and turned onto Caledonia Road. The officer then observed that the vehicle had turned onto Paul David Court, a dead end.

When the officer arrived at the court he observed that the driver had collided with two parked vehicles and witnesses advised that the male driver fled the vehicle on foot. The vehicle, which was a rental was recovered.  Patrol members attempted to locate the driver with the assistance of a K9 team but the driver was not located. The investigation is in the early stages and Police are working to identify the driver.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact police at 902-490-5016. 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 are investigating a suspicious fire that occurred overnight in Dartmouth

At approximately 4:40 a.m. Halifax Regional Police responded to a report of vehicles on fire outside a business in the 200 block of Wyse Rd. Halifax Fire and Emergency attended and extinguished the fire, no one was injured.

The fire is believed to be suspicious and members of the General Investigative Section of the integrated Criminal Investigation Division are in the early stages of the investigation.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call police at 902-490-5016. 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 number 20-67027 refers.

Police Investigate Break and Enter Into School

One suspect is in custody following a break and enter in Halifax overnight.

At 11:41 p.m. police responded to a report of an intrusion alarm activation at Halifax West High School on Thomas Raddall Drive in Halifax.  Two suspects were located inside the building and were pursued by responding patrol members including a K-9 Unit as they fled on foot to the nearby neighbourhood.

One suspect was taken into custody near Gristmill Court shortly after midnight.  A 19-year-old male will be appearing in court at a later date to face charges of break and enter.  The second suspect was not located and police are continuing to investigate.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call police at 902-490-5016. 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.