March 5, 2020, Westphal, Nova Scotia… Halifax District RCMP is asking for the public’s help to locate a stolen dump truck and to identity a suspect.

Between 8:55 p.m. and 9: 15 p.m. on February 24, a dump truck was stolen from a business parking lot on Hwy. 7 in Westphal. The video surveillance shows a small white car driving into the parking lot of the business next door, a man is then seen walking towards the stolen dump truck. The man gets into the dump truck and the truck drives away.

The truck is a white 2008 GMC C5500 dump truck with attached Nova Scotia licence plate 52466D. NDS Property Services is written on the doors of the truck. The suspect was wearing a black hoodie with a graphic on the front, blue jeans and black sneakers.

Anyone with information on the 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.

File # 20-26266

March 4, 2020, Seal Harbour, Nova Scotia… Sherbrooke RCMP is asking for the public’s help to identify a person of interest in relation to an arson.

At 11:15 a.m. on February 5, RCMP responded to a report of a structure fire at a home on Seal Harbour Rd. in Seal Harbour. The fire department attended and extinguished the fire. The home was destroyed and the investigation determined that the fire was suspicious in nature.   No one was injured as a result of the fire.

Sherbrooke RCMP is looking for the public’s help in identifying a vehicle that was parked on the side of Hwy. 316 in the Seal Harbour area during the hours of 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. on February 5.

Police believe that the person driving that vehicle may have information about the fire.

If you have any information relating to the fire or the vehicle, please contact Sherbrooke RCMP at 902-522-2200. 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 # 2020168604

At 2:55 p.m., Halifax Regional Police responded to a robbery that had just occurred Home Depot 367 Lacewood Drive Halifax.  Staff reported approached a male suspected to be shoplifting saw blades who produced a box-cutter knife and fled to a waiting dark pickup truck.  No one was injured and the suspects are described as:

Suspect #1 – Unknown white male, late 20’s, thin build, brown hair, scruffy facial hair, wearing black parka with fur lined hood, high boot with tape.

Suspect #2 – Unknown white male, 50’s driving the vehicle.

Police are asking anyone with information about this incident 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.

 

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.