Man and woman charged with West Jeddore First Degree Murder

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.

Tony Walsh homicide investigation continues

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

Darren Cyril Pettipas charged for firearms and drug trafficking

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.

Nicholas Michael Henry Gavel arrested on Child Pornography Charges

Yarmouth man arrested on child pornography charges

February 24, 2020, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia . . . The RCMP’s Provincial Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit has arrested a Yarmouth man for child pornography offences.

On October 18, 2019, the RCMP was notified by the National Child Exploitation Crime Centre that a Facebook user uploaded an image that was suspected to be child pornography. Nova Scotia RCMP’s Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit began an investigation, and confirmed the image met the Criminal Code definition of child pornography.

A suspect was identified, and as a result of a detailed investigation, on February 21, 2020, members of the ICE unit, with assistance from the RCMP’s Digital Forensic Services, Yarmouth Town and Rural RCMP, and Yarmouth/ Clare SCEU, searched a home on Prospect St. in Yarmouth. Nicholas Michael Henry Gavel, 32, was arrested at the scene without incident. He was remanded into custody and appeared in Yarmouth Provincial Court today. He is charged with:

  • Distribution of Child Pornography
  • Possession of Child Pornography
  • Breach of Probation
  • Fail to Comply With Prohibition (Accessing the Internet, residing near a school) – 4 counts

Gavel was remanded into custody and will return to court on March 31.

In Nova Scotia it is mandatory for citizens to report suspected child pornography. This means that anyone who encounters child pornography material or recordings must report it to the police. Failing to report suspicious activity and materials could result in penalties similar to failure to report child abuse set out in the Child and Family Services Act. The RCMP encourages citizens to be a voice for children who are victims of sexual exploitation by reporting any suspected offences to your local police or by using Canada’s National tipline for reporting online sexual exploitation of children at www.cybertip.ca.

Police file # 20191595609 refers.

Arrestation d’un homme de Yarmouth pour des infractions en matière de pornographie juvénile

Le 24 février 2020, Yarmouth (Nouvelle-Écosse) – Le Groupe de lutte contre l’exploitation d’enfants dans Internet de la GRC en Nouvelle-Écosse a arrêté un homme de Yarmouth pour des infractions en matière de pornographie juvénile.

Le 18 octobre 2019, le Centre national contre l’exploitation des enfants a avisé la GRC qu’un utilisateur Facebook avait téléchargé en amont une image que l’on soupçonnait être de la pornographie juvénile. Le Groupe de lutte contre l’exploitation d’enfants dans Internet a entrepris une enquête et a confirmé que l’image correspondait à la définition du terme « pornographie juvénile » indiquée dans le Code criminel.

Un suspect a été identifié, et après une enquête approfondie, le Groupe de lutte contre l’exploitation d’enfants dans Internet a perquisitionné une résidence de la rue Prospect, à Yarmouth, le 21 février 2020, avec l’aide de membres des Services de criminalistique numérique de la GRC, des détachements rural et municipal de Yarmouth de la GRC et du Groupe des crimes de rue de Yarmouth/Clare de la GRC. Nicholas Michael Henry Gavel, 32 ans, a été arrêté sur les lieux, sans incident. Il était en garde à vue et a comparu en cour provinciale à Yarmouth aujourd’hui. Il est accusé de :

  • distribution de pornographie juvénile;
  • possession de pornographie juvénile;
  • manquement aux conditions de sa probation;
  • défaut de se conformer à une interdiction d’accéder à Internet et de résider près d’une école (quatre chefs d’accusation).

Nicholas Gavel demeure en garde à vue et comparaîtra de nouveau en cour le 31 mars.

En Nouvelle-Écosse, les citoyens ont le devoir de communiquer avec la police s’ils soupçonnent un cas de pornographie juvénile. Quiconque trouve des enregistrements ou du matériel de pornographie juvénile est obligé de communiquer avec la police. L’omission de signaler des activités suspectes ou du matériel suspect pourrait entraîner des conséquences similaires à celles prévues, en vertu de la Children and Family Services Act, pour l’omission de signaler un cas d’enfant maltraité. La GRC encourage tous les citoyens à parler au nom des enfants victimes d’exploitation sexuelle et à dénoncer toute infraction soupçonnée en communiquant avec leur service de police local. Pour les cas d’exploitation sexuelle d’enfants dans Internet, on peut communiquer avec la centrale canadienne de signalement à www.cyberaide.ca.

Dossier Police: 20191595609

 

Truck stolen while owner was leaning against it

Truck stolen while owner was leaning against it

February 20, 2020, Hebron, Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia . . . At 3:41 p.m. on February 19, Yarmouth Rural RCMP responded to a 911 call reporting a theft of a truck that was in progress. Two men were leaning up against the side of a truck, when a young male jumped into the driver’s seat, started it, and drove away. One man was struck by the truck’s mirror as it drove off, however he did not require hospital treatment. A woman who was also at the scene got into another vehicle and followed the truck. The driver of the stolen truck lost control, and the woman located it on the side of the road on Leighton St. The suspect was still inside, and he told the woman to leave or he would shoot her.

The woman left the area and RCMP officers, including a Police Dog and Handler, arrived at the scene a short time later. The police dog located a track, and the suspect entered the nearby woods. The Police Dog and Handler tracked the suspect and he was arrested without incident. He was taken to Yarmouth Rural Detachment where he is being held in custody pending a court appearance later today. During the incident, police officers spoke with staff at a nearby school and the decision was made to put the school in “Hold and Secure” status while the matter was ongoing. Once the suspect was arrested, the school status returned to normal.

Austin Blake Rhyno, 23, of Wedgeport, has been charged with:

  • Theft Over $5000
  • Theft Under $5000
  • Uttering Threats
  • Assault with a Weapon

The investigation is ongoing.

Police file # 2020237352

 

 

Historical sexual offences in Yarmouth County: Could you be a victim?

Historical sexual offences in Yarmouth County: Could you be a victim?

February 20, 2020, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia . . . On November 5, Yarmouth Municipal RCMP’s General Investigation Section began an investigation into historical sexual offences dating back to the late 1970’s and early 1980’s.

The investigation started with one victim coming forward to describe what had happened to him when he was a young boy. Two additional victims, who were also young boys at the time of the offences, came forward and provided statements to police. The three victims provided names of other potential victims, however the RCMP has not been able to find these individuals. All of the incidents are believed to have occurred at a home on Haskell St. in Yarmouth. The accused held a position in the community where he had access to youth.

James “Jim” Robert Cosman, 69, of Chegoggin, Yarmouth County has been charged with a total of eight sexual offences in relation to the three victims who have come forward, including:

Indecent Assault on a Male (3 counts)

Gross Indecency (3 counts)

Yarmouth RCMP obtained a search warrant for a home on Main Shore Rd. and searched it on February 19. No additional charges were laid as a result of the search.

The RCMP is reaching out to the public to offer support and encourage anyone who could be a victim to come forward. Police want victims to know that they can contact them and discuss their incident before making the decision to participate in the court process. Yarmouth Municipal RCMP can be reached at 902-742-8777. You can also contact police in your local area for more information.

Police file # 20191693215 refers.

High Risk Offender Notification

High Risk Offender Notification

In accordance with the Nova Scotia Release of High-Risk Offender Information Protocol, Halifax Regional Police is advising all citizens, particularly those in the Halifax region, that a high-risk offender is residing in our community.

John Francis Normand Dionne, 52, was released from Dorchester Penitentiary after completing a sentence for kidnapping-unlawful confinement and personating of a peace officer. Dionne has a criminal convictions history dating back to 1985 that includes convictions for sexual assault, assault, kidnapping and drug trafficking. Dionne has been assessed as being at a high-risk to re-offend. His victims have included children under the age of 14.

Dionne is on a long-term supervision order and will be required to follow strict conditions including restrictions on any activity that involves contact with children under the age of 18. He is to abstain from the consumption or possession of alcohol or drugs. He is not to possess any weapon, knife or sharp instrument outside his residence.

This information is provided to alert members of the public of his presence in our community and is not intended to encourage any form of vigilante activity or other unreasonable conduct. Police file number 20-22654 refers.

Five Suspects Get Charged for Drugs and Weapons in Halifax

Police charge five people for drug trafficking offences

Police have charged four men and a woman with multiple offences in relation to a drug trafficking investigation.

Over the past two weeks, 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 have conducted a number of searches in relation to a drug trafficking investigation.

Investigators searched three separate locations and seized a quantity of items at each location:

  • A residence on Dentith Road in Halifax
  • Ammunition for a handgun
  • Over one kilograms of hashish
  • Over 160 grams of cocaine
  • Approximately 100 methamphetamine pills
  • Over 100 grams of powdered methamphetamine
  • Over 1,100 LSD patches
  • Quantities of cannabis, heroin, fentanyl and MDMA
  • Over 3,000 various prescription pills
  • Pablo and Miyahs Pizza located at 16 Dentith Road in Halifax:
  • Over $40,000
  • Two loaded handguns
  • An address in the 200 block of St, Margaret’s Bay Road in Halifax:
  • A quantity of cash
  • A quantity of hashish
  • A number of edged weapons

Paul Raymond Howe, 33, of Halifax, was arrested in a vehicle on Dentiith Road in Halifax on February 13. He appeared in Halifax Provincial Court on February 14 to face charges of:

  • Possession for the purpose of trafficking (x 9)
  • Possession of cannabis that is known to be illicit contrary to section 9(2) of the Cannabis Act
  • Possession of cannabis that is known to be illicit contrary to section 10(2) of the Cannabis Act
  • Unsafe storage of a firearm (x 2)
  • Unauthorized possession of a firearm (x 2)
  • Possession of a firearm knowing it is unauthorized (x 2)
  • Possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition (x 2)
  • Possession of a firearm obtained by commission of an offence
  • Possession of a prohibited firearm knowing the serial number has been altered, defaced or removed
  • Possession of a firearm and ammunition contrary to a court order (x 3)
  • Breach of recognizance (x 4)

Jason Dennis James Weagle, 42, of Halifax, was arrested at Pablo and Miyahs Pizza located at 16 Dentith Road in Halifax on February 19. He appeared in Halifax Provincial Court on February 20 to face charges of:

  • Possession for the purpose of trafficking
  • Possession of cocaine

Jamie Scott Taylor, 49, of Halifax, was arrested at Pablo and Miyahs Pizza located at 16 Dentith Road in Halifax on February 19. He appeared in Halifax Provincial Court on February 20 to face charges of:

  • Possession for the purpose of trafficking
  • Possession of cocaine

Barry James Dodge, 46, of Halifax, was arrested at an address in the 200 block of St Margaret’s Bay Road in Halifax on February 20. He is scheduled to appear in Halifax Provincial Court today to face charges of:

  • Possession for the purpose of trafficking (x 9)
  • Possession of cannabis that is known to be illicit contrary to section 9(2) of the Cannabis Act.
  • Possession of cannabis that is known to be illicit contrary to section 10(2) of the Cannabis Act

Jennifer Lynn Hiles, 39, of Halifax, was arrested at an address in the 200 block of St Margaret’s Bay Road in Halifax on February 20. She is scheduled to appear in Halifax Provincial Court today to face charges of:

  • Possession for the purpose of trafficking (x 9)
  • Possession of cannabis that is known to be illicit contrary to section 9(2) of the Cannabis Act.
  • Possession of cannabis that is known to be illicit contrary to section 10(2) of the Cannabis Act

Police file numbers 20-19744/ 20-20894 /20-21193.

Investigators  are asking anyone with information about this incident or other crimes to 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.

Woman charged after false complaint of vehicle theft

Woman charged after false complaint of vehicle theft

February 21, 2020, Shelburne County, Nova Scotia . . . On February 19, a woman from Baccaro was arrested following a five-month investigation. In September 2019, Barrington RCMP responded to a complaint of a stolen vehicle from a residence in Baccaro. The investigation determined woman’s vehicle was not stolen, and she made arrangements with another person to make it appear that the vehicle was stolen.

Michelle Jacklyn, 53, was held in custody overnight and appeared in Shelburne Provincial Court on February 20. She has been charged with several offences in relation to this incident:

 

  • Fraud over $5000
  • Extortion
  • Public Mischief

Jacklyn was released from custody and is scheduled to return to Court on April 1.

The investigation, which was conducted by the Shelburne County RCMP Street Crime Enforcement Unit, was assisted by members of Shelburne RCMP, Barrington RCMP, and Investigators from the Insurance Bureau of Canada. Police file  # 20191425479 refers.

Police are investigating a robbery at Supertore in Halifax

Police are investigating a robbery that occurred yesterday in Halifax.

At Approximately 5 p.m. yesterday police responded to a robbery that had just occurred at the Superstore Smokeshop located at 6141 Young Street in Halifax. A man armed with a knife entered the store and demanded money from the cashier. The man tried to take money from the cash register then fled empty handed from the store.

The suspect is described as a white man, 20-30 years old approximately 5’6” with a slim build. At the time, he was wearing a grey ankle length jacket with a hood, black balaclava, baseball hat, black gloves, a scarf and jeans.

Investigators with the General Investigation Section of the Criminal Investigation Division are asking anyone with information about this 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 by using the P3 Tips app. Police file # 20-23992 refers.