RCMP release:

Earlier this week Digby RCMP arrested a man and a woman in relation to an ongoing investigation into break-ins throughout Digby County.

Between November 11 and November 28, 2023, Meteghan and Digby RCMP responded to 11 reports of break-ins, or attempted break-ins, to businesses in the communities of Comeauville, Meteghan Centre, Saulnierville and Weymouth. The targeted businesses have included grocery stores and hardware stores. Some businesses have been broken-into on more than one occasion.

As part of the ongoing investigation, Digby RCMP arrested a man and a woman in Digby on December 4, and executed a search warrant at a residence on West St. in Digby. During the search, officers recovered a number of items linked to the break-ins, including two loaded firearms, and a large number of lottery scratch tickets. Investigators believe some lottery scratch tickets may still be in circulation.

Digby RCMP has charged 39-year-old Travis Lee Welch of Digby with:

• Breaking and Entering with intent
• Fraud (5 Counts)
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime (7 Counts)
• Mischief (2 Counts)
• Theft
• Unauthorized possession of a Firearm / prohibited Firearm with Ammunition (2 Counts)
• Unauthorized possession of a Firearm
• Unsafe Storage of firearm (2 counts)
• Unlawful Possession of a Firearm (2 Counts)
• Possession of a firearm when knowing possession is unauthorized (2 Counts)
• Careless use of Firearm (2 Counts)

Welch was remanded into custody and appeared in Digby Provincial Court on December 5.

The 31-year-old woman was released on an Undertaking and will appear in Digby Provincial Court at a later date to face a number of property related offences.

The investigation into the break-ins, which is being led by Digby RCMP and Meteghan RCMP, with assistance of the RCMP Forensic Identification Section, is ongoing. Investigators believe other people may be involved in the break-ins and are appealing for information.

Anyone with information about the break-ins is asked to contact the Digby RCMP at 902- 245-2579 or the Meteghan RCMP at 902-645-2326. If you wish to remain anonymous can 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.