Category: Canada

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

As we ring in the New Year, the RCMP is reminding Nova Scotians to plan a safe and sober way home tonight and tomorrow morning.

Unfortunately, we encounter people every January 1 who start their year off with a bad choice – one with criminal and potentially deadly consequences. Some examples from the past 5 years include:

• January 1, 2020 at approximately 12:40 a.m., a traffic stop of a speeding vehicle on Sackville Dr. in Lower Sackville led to the arrest of the driver who provided breath samples of 130mg% and 140mg%.
• January 1, 2021 at approximately 2:00 a.m., a vehicle crashed into the woods off the side of the Bedford Bypass in Bedford. A blood demand from the driver led to charges for impaired driving.
• January 1, 2022 at approximately 10:00 a.m., RCMP responded to a complaint of a possible impaired driver. The vehicle was located and stopped on Hwy 104 in Kemptown. The driver was arrested and provided breath samples of 160mg% and 140mg%, resulting from consuming alcohol the night before.
• January 1, 2023 at approximately 4:20 a.m., a traffic stop on Starrs Rd., Yarmouth, of a vehicle without lights on led to an arrest of the driver and charges for impaired driving.
• January 1, 2024 at approximately 2:30 a.m., a traffic stop of a vehicle driving erratically on Hwy 2 in Great Village led to the arrest of the driver who provided breath samples of 200mg% and 180mg%.

These are just some of the examples from each year – there are many more from around the Province.

January 1, 2025 will have its own examples of people making this unfortunate choice, and the RCMP will be out on our roadways looking for impaired drivers.

Tonight, tomorrow, and every day in the year ahead, please make the choice to drive sober. If you see a suspected impaired driver, call 911.

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Digby RCMP has charged a woman after a break and enter at a local business.

On December 30, at approximately 12:25 a.m., Digby RCMP responded to a report of a break and enter at a business on Water St. Upon arrival, the responding officer learned that a bystander had observed a broken window at the front of the building and a staff member confirmed that a number of items had been taken from behind the counter.

Surveillance video allowed police to identify a person involved in the break-in and a canvas of the neighbourhood enabled officers to locate some items that are believed to have been taken from the business. RCMP Forensic Identification Services was also engaged to support the investigation.

At approximately 5:10 p.m., Digby RCMP officers attended a residence on Hwy. 1 in Marshalltown and safely arrested Megan Letemplier, 20. Officers executed a search warrant at the residence and seized other evidence associated to the investigation, including some stolen items.

Letemplier had a first court appearance in Digby Provincial Court on December 31. She has been charged with the following offences:

• Break and Enter
• Theft Under $5000
• Mischief Under $5000
• Failure to Comply with Release Order
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime

She was remanded into custody until her next appearance on January 20, 2025.

This incident is still under investigation.

Anyone with surveillance video or information about the break-in is asked to contact Digby RCMP at 902-245-2579. 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 #: 2024-1883347

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

The Southwest Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit (SWN MCU) continues to investigate the disappearance of Zachery Lefave. January 1, 2025, marks four years since he was reported missing.

On January 1, 2021 Yarmouth RCMP began a missing person investigation following the report that Zac did not return to a New Year’s Eve gathering he had attended earlier in the evening with friends. He was last seen walking on Hwy. 334 in Plymouth, Yarmouth County, at approximately 12:15 a.m. and to date has not been found.

Over the last four years, investigators with the SWN MCU have collaborated with partner agencies inside and outside of the RCMP to find Zac. Regional ground search and rescue (GSAR) teams have volunteered countless hours from the start. RCMP Police Dog Services, including an RCMP cadaver dog team from British Columbia, officers from RCMP Forensic Identification Services, various units from Yarmouth RCMP, Meteghan RCMP, Shelburne RCMP and Lunenburg District RCMP have all contributed to the search and investigation.

“Through a combination of statements and following up on tips and leads, our investigators have spoken with over two hundred people during the course of this investigation. The information and details provided have shaped where and how searches have taken place, and will support potential new search efforts going forward,” says Cst. Shawn Himmelman, lead investigator with the SWN MCU.

The RCMP Southwest Nova Major Crime Unit continue to investigate and seek any information that will assist in locating Zac. The RCMP would particularly like to speak with anyone driving or walking on or near Hwy. 334 between Arcadia and Wedgeport between the hours of 11:30 p.m. on December 31, 2020, and 3:00 a.m. on January 1, 2021.

At the time of his disappearance, Zachery Lefave was 21 years old, 5-foot-9 and 175 pounds, with brown facial hair, brown hair and blue eyes. He is now 25 years old. He was last seen wearing a hat, plaid shirt and shorts.

Zac’s case is included in the Nova Scotia Department of Justice Reward for Major Unsolved Crimes Program. A reward of up to $150,000 is available for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the disappearance of Zachery.

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

A 54-year-old man is facing charges of impaired operation after police conducted a traffic stop on an erratic driver.

On the December 25^th, 2024, around 1:30 a.m., Bay St. George RCMP were conducting proactive patrols and located a pick-up truck travelling down Main Street in Stephenville driving, in an erratic manner.

Police conducted a traffic stop and the driver was arrested for Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle. The man was transported the to detachment where he provided breath samples which were more than two times the legal limit. The male was released to appear in court at a later date. His license was suspended and his vehicle impounded.

Impaired driving is a choice that unnecessarily places the driver and all others who share the roadway at an increased level of risk. If you suspect an individual is driving while impaired, please immediately call your local police or 911 to make a report.

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

The Saint-Léonard RCMP is asking for the public’s help to locate a stolen sports utility vehicle (SUV) from Vallée-des-Rivières (Sainte-Anne-de-Madawaska), N.B.

The theft is believed to have occurred between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. on December 30, 2024, from a residence on Martin Road, in Vallée-des-Rivières.

The SUV is described as a dark grey 2016 Mazda CX-5 with New Brunswick licence plate JOC 678, and vehicle identification number JM3KE4CY6G0857511. A photo of the SUV is currently unavailable.

Anyone who has seen the SUV since December 30, or who has information that could help further the investigation, is asked to contact the Saint-Léonard RCMP at 506-473-3137. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), by downloading the secure P3 Mobile App, or by Secure Web Tips at www.crimenb.ca.

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

On December 27, 2024, Battlefords RCMP received a report of a missing 22-year-old male, Jayden Richter.

Jayden was last seen during the early morning hours of December 22 on 102 Street in North Battleford.

Police are asking members of the public to report all sightings of him and information on his whereabouts.

Jayden is described as approximately 5’9″ and 155 pounds. He has short blonde hair and hazel eyes. He was last seen wearing a black Thrasher hoodie, brown work boots and a reflective yellow/green jacket. Jayden has a red birth mark on his left eyebrow.

If you’ve seen Jayden or know where he is, contact Battlefords RCMP by dialling 310-RCMP. Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.saskcrimestoppers.com.

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

On December 27, 2024, at 2:30 pm, Thompson RCMP received a report of a missing 17-year-old male, from Thompson, who went missing from an address located in Winnipeg, when he was in the city with his mother visiting extended family.

Melvin James Spence was last seen on December 23 in Winnipeg when he advised family members that he was walking back to Thompson.

Spence is described as being 5’9″, 180lbs with short black hair & brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a brand new “FXR” winter jacket.

If you’ve seen Melvin Spence or have any information on his whereabouts, please call the Thompson RCMP at 204-677-6909/6911, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

December 30^th, 2024, RCMP Headquarters- PEI RCMP are employing checkpoints and roadside screening devices to detect and deter impaired drivers this New Year’s Eve.

Impaired driving is one of the leading factors connected to fatal crashes in PEI. PEI RCMP will be using a variety of techniques to address impaired driving this New Year’s Eve including:

• Checkpoints in communities across the Island
• Increased Traffic Enforcement
• Increased Police Presence
• Roadside screening for drivers

In the last two years PEI RCMP roadside screening results lead to 261 drivers being stopped, these drivers faced roadside suspensions, vehicle seizures and criminal code charges. PEI RCMP also stopped many other impaired drivers using techniques outside the roadside screening device. “PEI RCMP will have an increased presence on island roads for News Year’s Eve, with the goal of detecting and deterring impaired drivers. We urge motorists to take road safety seriously by planning for a sober ride, and to report impaired drivers by calling 911” says PEI RCMP acting media relations officer Cst. Kevin MacKay.

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Clarenville RCMP responded to a report of a suspected impaired driver on December 26^th and arrested one man.

Around 6:45 p.m., Clarenville RCMP received an anonymous complaint of a possible impaired driver. Officers were able to locate the suspected vehicle and found open liquor inside the vehicle.

The suspected driver failed to provide an adequate breath sample and was arrested for refusal. His driver’s licence was suspended and his vehicle was impounded.

RCMP NL thanks the public for continuing to report incidents of erratic or suspected impaired driving. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility.

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Shortly after 1:00 a.m. on November 25^th, Inuvik RCMP received a report of a building on fire on Inuit Road in Inuvik. Officers attended the location. Inuvik fire department was already on scene. No injuries were reported.

Initial findings showed that the fire had been set deliberately. Further investigation is underway. This building was previously the target of an unsuccessful arson attempt on November 20^th.

Inuvik RCMP are requesting anyone with information on the matter to contact the detachment at 777-1111 or Crime Stoppers at http://www.p3tips.com

Additionally, residents living in the area of Inuit Road with security cameras that may have captured the incident are encouraged to check their footage between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 1:00 a.m. on November 25^th and contact police if suspicious activity was observed.

Police are also seeking footage from any cameras on Inuit Road between November 16^th and November 25^th that may show a blue hatchback SUV lingering in the area, as a vehicle of that description is believed to be involved.