Category: Canada

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Multiple drivers were arrested by RCMP NL this past weekend for impaired driving offences.

Shortly before 9:00 p.m. on Friday evening, September 8, 2023, Harbour Grace RCMP conducted a traffic stop on Columbus Drive in Carbonear. The driver, a 39-year-old man, showed signs of alcohol impairment, failed a roadside breath test and was arrested for impaired driving. At the detachment, he provided further breath samples that were nearly two and a half times the legal limit.

Approximately a half an hour later, 9:30 p.m. on September 8, 2023, Bonavista RCMP conducted a traffic stop in Bonavista. The 74-year old driver showed signs of alcohol impairment and refused to provide a roadside breath sample. He was arrested for refusing to provide a breath sample.

Shortly after 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 9, 2023, Bay St. George RCMP received a report of a residential disturbance involving a suspected impaired driver. Officers attended a residence in West Bay where a 50-year-old man was arrested for impaired driving and other offences. At the detachment, the man provided breath samples that were nearly one and a half times the legal limit.

At approximately 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 10, 2023, Channel-Port aux Basques RCMP received a report of a suspected impaired driver who had departed the Marine Atlantic Ferry terminal. The described vehicle was located on the Trans-Canada Highway in the Wreckhouse area. The driver, a 52-year-old man from Nova Scotia, who showed signs of alcohol impairment, was arrested. At the detachment, he provided breath samples that were more than three and a half times the legal limit.

Later that evening, shortly before 8:30 p.m., Bonavista RCMP received a report of a collision involving an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and a car that occurred on Route 235 near Bonavista. The driver of the car, a 67-year-old man, showed signs of alcohol impairment. He failed a roadside breath test and was arrested for impaired driving. At the detachment, he provided further breath samples that were above the legal limit. This investigation is continuing.

All five drivers were released from custody and are set to attend court at later dates to answer to impaired driving charges. Each driver received a licence suspension and a vehicle impoundment.

RCMP NL continues to fulfill its mandate to protect public safety, enforce the law, and ensure the delivery of priority policing services in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Manitoba RCMP Major Crime Services investigators have laid charges in the homicide of James Vernon Giesbrecht.

Giesbrecht’s remains were located the same day he was murdered – October 13, 2022. On the outskirts of the City of Brandon, in the RM of Corwallis, unidentifiable human remains were discovered in the trunk of a burned 2007 Honda Accord. RCMP investigators worked with a Forensic Anthropologist and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to identify the remains and a determine a cause of death. Giesbrecht did not die as a result of the fire.

In December 2022, Giesbrecht was reported missing.

In January of 2023, Giesbrecht was identified as the victim through the use of the National Forensics Lab, and RCMP also knew at that point that Giesbrecht’s death was a homicide.

Investigators determined the Accord was stolen out of Regina and were able to identify the person responsible for stealing the vehicle, who was not involved in any way in the homicide. It was learned possession of the stolen vehicle changed to one of the suspects.

With the information investigators had, the RCMP put out several pleas to the public for assistance. Valuable information was received from the public, and RCMP criminal analysts worked diligently to find linkages to the suspects.

Working with the invaluable assistance of the Brandon Police Service, on September 11, 2023, three males were arrested for Giesbrecht’s murder.

Redstone Wombdiska, 28, was arrested at Headingely Correctional Centre and charged with First Degree Murder.

Joseph Lindsay, 36, was arrested at Stony Mountain Institution and charged with First Degree Murder.

Christopher Cutlip, 40, was arrested at the Brandon Correctional Centre and charged with Second Degree Murder.

No further individuals are being sought in relation to this homicide.

“From a policing perspective, this is a strong result – First Degree Murder charges are very serious and carry a heavy burden of proof,” said Superintendent Rob Lasson, Officer in Charge of RCMP Manitoba Major Crime Services. “We couldn’t have got here without the assistance of the Brandon Police Service and the public. The investigation would not have been solved without the public’s assistance because they got involved: they offered tips, provided statements. Also, our investigators never wavered in their dedication to tracking down those who committed a brutal and planned murder, and I thank them.”

The three accused remain in custody.

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

On September 8, 2023, members of the RCMP Major Crime Unit, Federal Arctic Unit, Forensic Identification Section, Iqaluit General Duty and the Containment Team attended a residence in the 2200 block of Iqaluit with a warrant.

As a result of the investigation officers seized 185 grams of cocaine, a sum of money, knife, air pistol, ammunition, currency counting machine, and electronic devices.

Hugo Devost-Thomas (31) has been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine) and possession of property obtained by crime.

Devost-Thomas has been released to appear in court on October 12, 2023.

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

One male from Pangnirtung and one male from Ottawa have been arrested and charged following an investigation into the trafficking of illegal drugs into the community.

Between August 31st, 2023 and September 5th, 2023 the RCMP conducted an investigation which included the execution of multiple search warrants and learned that a large amount of controlled substances were being shipped to Pangnirtung. On September 5th, 2023 search warrants were executed at the Canada Post Office in Pangnirtung where 465g of methamphetamine (approximately 1000 tablets), 53g of cocaine, 21g of MDMA and 480oz of liquor were seized.

The investigation continued and with the assistance of Canada Post Postal Inspectors, the RCMP members identified the believed supplier in Ottawa responsible for sending these drugs into Nunavut. A Canada wide warrant was issued for the arrest of Dustin Venton (32) of Ottawa and the RCMP obtained a search warrant for his residence. On September 8th, 2023 the Ottawa Police Service executed the search warrant and Venton was arrested. A search of his residence located 241g of cocaine, 28 hydromorphone pills, 50 methamphetamine tablets, a taser and a large sum of money.

Ken Papatsie (32) of Pangnirtung, NU has been charged with conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine, conspiracy to traffic cocaine, conspiracy to traffic MDMA, possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine, possession for the purpose of trafficking methamphetamine, possession for the purpose of trafficking MDMA, and possession of liquor for the purpose of sale. This is in addition to the charges he has received from a search warrant executed on September 1, 2023. Papatsie is remanded in custody and will appear in court on September 26, 2023.

Dustin Venton has been charged in Nunavut with conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine, conspiracy to traffic cocaine, conspiracy to traffic MDMA, trafficking methamphetamine, trafficking cocaine, and trafficking MDMA. Venton also faces additional charges out of Ottawa. Venton is currently remanded in custody.

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Following the report of a suspected impaired driver on September 9, 2023, a woman was arrested by Nain RCMP for driving while impaired.

At approximately 9:00 a.m., police received a report of a suspected impaired driver. Officers located the described vehicle and driver a short time later and conducted a traffic stop. The woman showed signs of alcohol impairment and failed a roadside breath test. At the detachment, she provided further breath samples that were above the legal limit.

The woman was released from custody and is set to appear in court at a later date to answer to charges of impaired driving. Her licence was suspended.

RCMP NL thanks the public for continuing to report suspected impaired drivers and remains dedicated to road safety for all users.

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

The Grand Bay-Westfield RCMP is asking for the public’s help following a hit and run collision in Lower Greenwich, N.B.

On September 4, 2023, shortly after 7:50 P.M., members of the Grand Bay-Westfield RCMP received a report of a pickup truck being rear-ended three times by another pick-up truck at the intersection of Route 102 and Bathory Avenue, in Lower Greenwich.

The driver of the pickup truck that was rear-ended left the scene, as the driver and two passengers of the suspect vehicle got out of their truck and began throwing rocks and yelling at the victim.

Police are now seeking the public’s help to identify the suspect vehicle and persons of interest. The suspect vehicle is described as a black GMC Sierra, between 2014 and 2019, with damage to the front bumper. A licence plate is unavailable.

The persons of interest that were inside of the suspect vehicle are described as three men. The first man, the driver, is described as being in his early 30’s, approximately five feet eight inches (173 centimetres) tall, with crew cut hair, a full beard, and wearing a black shirt, a baseball hat, and jeans. The second man, a passenger, is described as being in his later 40’s, approximately six feet (183 centimetres) tall, with a buzz cut, wearing a red shirt and beige shorts. The third man, also a passenger, is a described as also being in his later 40’s, with a tan complexion.

Anyone that was in the area of Route 102 at the time and witnessed the incident, or who has information regarding the suspect vehicle or persons of interest, is asked to contact the Grand Bay-Westfield RCMP at 506-757-1020. 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.

The investigation is ongoing.

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

West Hants District RCMP is investigating a hate-motivated mischief in Windsor.

On September 11, 2023, at approximately 11:15 a.m., West Hants District RCMP responded to a report of vandalism at a memorial located at 10 King St. in Windsor. RCMP officers learned that a racial slur had been written on the memorial.

The investigation is ongoing and investigators believe that the incident was motivated by hate.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact West Hants District RCMP at 902-798-2207. If you wish to remain anonymous, please contact 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 #: 2023-1350951

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

On September 11, 2023 at approximately 8:15 a.m., Prince Albert RCMP received a report of a firearm discharge in the Lac La Ronge Indian Band community of Little Red River.

Investigation determined unknown individuals discharged a firearm toward residences in the community. No injures were reported to police.

Prince Albert RCMP are actively investigating. They are asking members of the public to report sightings of two suspect vehicles.

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Rosetown RCMP are currently responding to the report of a serious collision on Highway #7, approximately one kilometre southwest of Tessier, SK.

Traffic is being re-routed for an undetermined amount of time. Motorists are advised to plan alternate routes and to follow traffic restrictions.

An investigational update will be provided when available.

Visit the Highway Hotline for road closure updates.

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

East Hants District RCMP has charged a man after a robbery on Uniacke Mines Rd. in Mount Uniacke.

On September 10, 2023, at approximately 9:20 p.m., East Hants District RCMP responded to a report of a robbery on Uniacke Mines Rd. in Mount Uniacke. RCMP officers learned that a man and woman had been travelling in a vehicle, owned by the woman, on Uniacke Mines Rd. when the man told the woman to get out. When the woman refused, the man sprayed her with a chemical irritant, forcibly removed her from the vehicle and threw her belongings out of the vehicle. The man then fled the area in the vehicle. The victim was not physically injured and declined medical treatment.

While investigating the robbery incident, East Hants District RCMP were advised that the suspect in this incident, had just stolen fuel from a gas station in Mount Uniacke and had left the gas station on Hwy. 1 heading towards Windsor. West Hants District RCMP were notified of the incident and their assistance was requested.

At approximately 10:50 p.m., a West Hants District RCMP member observed the suspect vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed on Hwy. 1 in Ardoise. The vehicle was observed turning off Hwy. 1 onto Buster Davis Rd. and a traffic stop was attempted. The man stopped the vehicle and surrendered. He was safely arrested and transported to the Enfield Detachment where he was held in custody.

Evan Lloyd Wheadon, 18, of Mount Uniacke, has been charged with Robbery, Theft and Failure to Comply with Conditions (2 counts). He appeared in Shubenacadie Provincial Court today, where he was remanded into custody. Wheadon will return to Shubenacadie Provincial Court on September 25, 2023.

File #: 2023-1348867