The Halifax Regional Detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) announced the arrest of an 18-year-old man and a youth following a vehicle pursuit involving a stolen car from New Brunswick. The incident occurred on the evening of September 4, around 6:45 p.m., when RCMP officers responded to reports of a vehicle that had entered oncoming traffic in the 10500 block of Highway 7, near Oyster Pond.
Upon arrival, officers identified the vehicle as a Mazda sedan displaying New Brunswick license plates. When attempts were made to stop the car in the 7800 block of Highway 7 at Musquodoboit Harbour, the sedan accelerated westbound at a high speed, prompting additional calls from the public about the vehicle's erratic driving behavior. Witnesses reported the vehicle swerving into oncoming traffic and executing a U-turn on Highway 107.
In response to the dangerous operation of the vehicle, RCMP officers deployed a tire deflating device, which ultimately led the Mazda to stop in front of a residence located at the 300 block of West Porters Lake Road. The driver fled on foot but was swiftly apprehended by police. The passenger also abandoned the vehicle but was not immediately found. Following further investigation and tips regarding a suspicious person in the vicinity, the police located and arrested the passenger around 10:30 p.m. that evening.
Investigating officers found that the Mazda had originally been stolen in Moncton, New Brunswick, and was traveling on stolen license plates. The driver of the vehicle, identified as Dawson Thomas, aged 18 from Richibucto Village, New Brunswick, has faced multiple charges, including:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
- Dangerous Operation of a Conveyance
- Flight from Police
- Obstruction
- Failing to Comply with a Release Order (three counts)
- Failing to Comply with a Probation Order
The youth passenger, whose identity has not been disclosed due to legal restrictions, hails from Moncton and has been charged with similar offenses, including:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
- Resisting Arrest
- Failing to Comply with Condition of Release Order (two counts)
- Failing to Comply with Condition of Undertaking
Both suspects were held in custody following their arrest and appeared at Halifax Provincial Court on September 8. Currently, Thomas remains in custody, with his next court appearance scheduled for September 10. The youth was released under specific conditions and is expected to appear in court again on October 2.
