St. John’s — RCMP NL warns of fraud and scams, how to protect yourself and loved ones

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

RCMP NL encourages the public to protect themselves and vulnerable family or friends in the community against fraud and scams. A number of various online and telephone scams remain in circulation, as well as local scams on buy and sell sites and reports of fraudulent credit card use.

Recently, Deer Lake RCMP investigated the unauthorized use of a credit card where a number of unknown online purchases, equating to more than $11,000.00, were completed. The victim was a vulnerable elderly individual. The investigation determined the identity of the suspect, who now faces a charge of unauthorized use of a credit card. The man is set to appear in court at a later date.

If you or a loved one are the victim of fraud or a scam:

  • Gather all information about the fraud, including: documents, receipts, copies of emails and/or text messages
  • Contact your financial institutions
  • Contact your local police detachment to report the incident
  • Contact the Canadian AntiFraud Centre toll free at 1-888-495-8501 or through https://www.services.rcmpgrc.gc.ca/chooser-eng.html?ipeReferer=CAFCFRS

How to protect yourself and loved ones:

  • Safely store your financial information and the financial information of vulnerable adults
  • Ensure credit cards are not accessible
  • Keep online passwords securely stored and regularly update those for online shopping accounts or financial institutions
  • Never accept cheques or money transfers from a person or business who you have not verified as legitimate
  • When shopping on Marketplace or Kijiji, never pay for merchandise before receiving it
  • Never purchase gift cards on behalf of someone you do not know
  • Don’t give out personal information on the phone or online, such as: name, address, birthdate, SIN, banking information

Remember, if it seems too good to be true, it is. If you are unsure whether who you are speaking with on the phone, online, or even in person is legitimate, don’t be afraid to say no, leave the conversation, or get a second opinion.

RCMP NL encourages the public to discuss financial and digital safety with elders and vulnerable adults in their family or community. For more information, visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm

Channel-Port aux Basques — Channel-Port aux Basques RCMP investigates mischief at Butterfly Book Boutique, seeks public assistance

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Channel-Port aux Basques RCMP is investigating damage of a local business, Butterfly Book Boutique, suspected to be caused by a firearm or air soft gun.

On Thursday afternoon, January 16, 2025, an employee discovered the damage to the Main Street store window, which police suspect may have been completed with the use of a firearm or air soft gun. It is unknown when the crime occurred.

The investigation is continuing.

Anyone having information about this crime or the identity of the suspects is asked to contact Channel-Port aux Basques RCMP at 709-695-2149 or, to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers: #SayItHere 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), visit www.nlcrimestoppers.com or use the P3Tips app.

Wileville — Lunenburg RCMP charge five people with attempted murder and weapons offence

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Lunenburg District RCMP has arrested and charged three adults and two youths following a stabbing in Wileville.

On January 12, at approximately 9:20 p.m., RCMP officers received a report that a youth was being transported to hospital by a family member following an assault.

Investigators learned that the youth was walking on Main St. when they were approached by a vehicle. Four people exited the vehicle and assaulted the youth with a knife.

The youth got away on foot and was treated for serious injuries.

Between January 12 and 17, Lunenburg RCMP safely arrested five people associated to this incident, at several different locations. Ira Leblanc, 18, of Bridgewater, Emma Jollimore, 18, of Bridgewater, and Braeden Meisner, 18, of Midville Branch, are each facing charges of Attempted Murder, Aggravated Assault, Robbery, and Possession of a Weapon for Dangerous Purpose. Two youths are also facing charges. All five people had first court appearances at Bridgewater Provincial Court in the days following their arrests.

Officers also located and seized the vehicle associated to this incident at a residence in Bridgewater and executed a search on it to locate and seize further evidence.

The Nova Scotia RCMP Forensic Identification Section and Nova Scotia RCMP Digital Forensics Services is supporting the ongoing investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to call Lunenburg District RCMP at 902-527-5555. 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.

Waycobah — Missing person: Help the RCMP find Troy Gould

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Inverness County District RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance in locating 53-year-old Troy Gould.

Gould is described as 5-foot-10, 250 pounds, with short black hair. He may be in New Brunswick or Maine.

When someone goes missing, it has deep and far-reaching impacts for the person and those who know them. We ask that people spread the word through social media respectfully.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Troy Gould is asked to contact Inverness County District RCMP at 902-625-2220 or the police of jurisdiction. 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.

Sheshatshiu — Arrest warrant issued for Ethan Rich

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Sheshatshiu RCMP is looking to arrest wanted man, 24-year-old Ethan Rich, who is actively evading police.

Rich is wanted for one count of sexual assault.

A picture of Ethan Rich is attached.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Ethan Rich are asked to contact Sheshatshiu RCMP at 709-497-8700. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), visit www.nlcrimestoppers.com or us the P3Tips app.

Dartmouth — RCMP Traffic Services issues more than 300 tickets over weekend

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Nova Scotia RCMP Traffic Services issued 351 tickets to drivers in Nova Scotia over the weekend, primarily for speeding and other aggressive driving offences.

“Speed and aggressive driving continue to be major contributors to serious injury and fatal motor vehicle collisions,” says Sgt. Shawn Puddester of the RCMP’s Northeast Traffic Services (NETS). “Along with impaired driving, distracted driving, and non-use of seatbelts, speed on our roads causes many of the life-threatening or fatal collisions we respond to.”

In addition to the 351 tickets, Traffic Services investigated many other road safety incidents, including:

On January 16, at approximately 3 p.m., an officer from Southeast Traffic Services (Halifax) stopped a vehicle on Cow Bay Rd. in Eastern Passage. The driver showed signs of impairment and was arrested after failing a roadside test on an approved screening device (ASD). They later provided breath samples over the legal limit of 80mg% and will be charged with Impaired Operation.

On January 18, at approximately 4 p.m., a Northwest Traffic Services officer stopped a vehicle with an unregistered New Brunswick licence plate on Hwy. 104 in Oxford. The driver failed a roadside test on an ASD and was arrested for impaired driving. They later provided breath samples over the legal limit and will also be charged with Impaired Operation.

On January 19, at approximately 9 p.m., an officer from NETS stopped a vehicle travelling 53 km/h over the posted speed limit. The driver was found to be consuming liquor in the vehicle and was arrested for impaired driving. They later provided samples over the legal limit. The driver will be charged with impaired driving and received tickets for stunting and liquor offences.

“These are everyday examples of the driving behaviours that lead to serious injury or death on our roads,” says Sgt. Puddester. “Slow down, pay attention, drive sober, and buckle up.”

Deer Lake — RCMP Traffic Services West stops three drivers for impaired driving violations over the weekend

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Throughout the weekend, Traffic Services West stopped three drivers, a 42-year-old woman, a 50-year-old man, and a 46-year-old man, for impaired driving violations.

On Friday, January 17, 2025, at approximately 6:00 p.m., RCMP Traffic Services West, with the assistance of Deer Lake RCMP, conducted a traffic stop with a vehicle on Third Avenue in Deer Lake. The driver, a 42-year-old woman, showed signs of alcohol impairment and provided a roadside breath sample above the Provincial limit. Her licence was suspended and vehicle impounded.

Later that evening at approximately 8:15 p.m., a traffic stop was conducted on Old Bonne Bay Road on Route 430. The driver, a 50-year-old man who had a suspended driver’s licence, showed signs of alcohol impairment and refused to provide a breath sample. He was arrested for refusing to provide a breath sample and released from custody to appear in court at a later date to answer to a charge of refusal and driving while suspended. His licence was further suspended and vehicle impounded.

A few hours later, on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at approximately 1:15 a.m., while on patrol, RCMP Traffic Services West observed a vehicle leaving a parking lot at a high rate of speed. A traffic stop was conducted with the vehicle on Main Street in Deer Lake. The driver, a 46-year-old man, showed signs of alcohol impairment and failed a roadside breath sample. He was arrested for impaired driving and transported to the Deer Lake detachment where he provided further breath samples above the legal limit. He was released from custody to appear in court at a later date. His licence was suspended and vehicle impounded.

Impaired operation of any motor vehicle 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.

Gander — RCMP Federal Policing – Eastern Region executes multiple search warrants in Lewisporte and one in Campbellton; drugs, firearms and weapons seized, two men arrested

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Two men, including 55-year-old Michael Upshall of Campbellton, were arrested last week by RCMP Federal Policing – Eastern Region. Multiple search warrants were executed with cocaine, opioids, firearms and weapons seized.

The investigation, led by RCMP Federal Policing – Eastern Region, with assistance from Lewisporte and Glovertown RCMP Detachments and RCMP Police Dog Services, resulted in the arrests of Upshall and another male on January 15, 2025. Both were taken into custody a short time after fleeing down a trail from police in a dangerous manner on an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). Upon the arrests, officers located a quantity of cash. RCMP Police Service Dog Noah and his handler located a quantity of oxycodone and cocaine that had been discarded on the trail.

In continuing the investigation, during the early morning hours of January 16, a warrant authorized under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, to search a vehicle was executed. Inside the vehicle, officers located a quantity of cocaine, contraband tobacco and other items consistent with drug trafficking.

Later that day, search warrants, authorized under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, were executed by RCMP at two homes in Lewisporte and a residence in Campbellton. Officers located and seized the following items:

  • Nearly 80 oxycodone pills
  • More than 200 suspected fentanyl pills
  • A pill press
  • Approximately $1500.00 cash
  • Eleven firearms
  • Ammunition
  • Prohibited weapons/devices, including a stun gun and a number of knives
  • Other items consistent with drug trafficking

Both men were released from custody.

Michael Upshall is charged with the following criminal offences:

  • Possession for the purpose of trafficking fentanyl
  • Possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine
  • Possession for the purpose of trafficking oxycodone
  • Unsafe storage of a firearm
  • Unauthorized possession of a firearm
  • Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
  • Possession of a prohibited weapon – two counts
  • Flight from police
  • Dangerous operation of a conveyance (ATV)
  • Possession of unstamped tobacco
  • Possession of contraband tobacco

The second male remains under investigation with charges anticipated.

The investigation is continuing.

RCMP Federal Policing – Eastern Region targets criminal activity involving national security, transnational and serious organized crime and cybercrime throughout the entire province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Lower South River — Street Crime Enforcement Unit executes search warrant in drug trafficking investigation

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

RCMP’s Antigonish-Guysborough Street Crime Enforcement Unit (SCEU) is continuing to enforce the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) with a recent search warrant execution, their second so far in 2025.

On January 10, the Antigonish-Guysborough SCEU, with support from the Pictou County Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit, Port Hawkesbury Street Crime Enforcement Unit, and Antigonish County District RCMP, executed a search warrant on a residence on Park Blvd. Officers seized a quantity of cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and prescription pills, as well as cash, a replica handgun, money counter, and other items associated to drug trafficking.

Jed Decoste, 34, of Lower South River, was arrested at the time of the warrant execution and is facing four charges for Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking and four charges for Trafficking a Controlled Substance. A second person arrested is also facing charges related to the CDSA.

This search warrant execution and other investigations related to the trafficking of illicit drugs is part of the ongoing effort to enforce the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and the commitment to supporting healthier, safer communities in Nova Scotia. Information about an unrelated search warrant execution lead by Antigonish-Guysborough SCEU on January 2 is available here.

Nova Scotians are encouraged to contact their nearest RCMP detachment or local police to report crime, including the illegal sale of drugs, in their communities. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submitting a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or using the P3 Tips app.

Note: The PCISCEU is made up of police officers from Pictou County District RCMP, Westville Police Service, and Stellarton Police Service.

Battlefords — Battlefords RCMP seek public assistance locating missing 34-year-old female

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

On January 15, 2025 at approximately 6:25 p.m., Battlefords RCMP received a report of a missing 34-year-old female, Jocelyn Ladouceur.

Jocelyn was last seen on January 13, 2025 in Edmonton, AB. Since she was reported missing, Battlefords RCMP have been checking places Jocelyn is known to visit and following up on information received. They are now asking members of the public to report information on Jocelyn’s whereabouts.

Jocelyn is described as:

  • Height: 5’6″
  • Weight: 140 lbs
  • Eye colour: brown, wears glasses
  • Hair colour and style: medium-length brown hair, may also be dyed green
  • Other descriptors: script tattooed on her forearm, nautical stars tattooed on her shoulder

Jocelyn is known to travel to the following areas:

  • Saulteaux First Nation
  • North Battleford
  • Lloydminster
  • Edmonton

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