Following a complex month-long investigation, police charge five individuals related to numerous break and enters throughout Nova Scotia.
Since April 30th, approximately 15 break and enters/attempted break and enters were reported to Lunenburg, Colchester, Cumberland and Hants District RCMP.
The break and enters were targeting rural commercial businesses including grocery stores, liquor stores and pharmacies.
A collaborative investigative effort between all affected RCMP Districts began. During the course of the investigation, officers gleaned assistance from RCMP crime analysts, the RCMP Forensic Identification Unit, Halifax District Street Crime Enforcement Unit and Halifax Regional Police Quick Response Units. As more break and enters were reported and investigated, commonalities were found at each business leading investigators to identify numerous suspects.
On May 27th at approximately 4 p.m., five suspects were arrested and four search warrants were carried out at Dartmouth and Eastern Passage residences. A sixth suspect was arrested at a Dartmouth residence on the morning of May 28th. Evidence seized following searches of the residences included cash, lottery tickets, cigarettes, methadone, cocaine, crack cocaine and prohibited weapons.
‘This is an excellent example of intelligence-led policing,’ says S/Sgt. Jean-Guy Richard, Lunenburg District RCMP. ‘This was a complex case and through investigative work and analysis, we were able to identify and disrupt this group.’
The following four people have been charged with Possession of Property Obtained by Crime.
Jennifer Andrea Clarke, 28, Dartmouth
Victoria Lynn Naugle, 24, Dartmouth
Randy William McCallister, 26, Eastern Passage
Donald Reginald LeBlanc, 26, Dartmouth
Michael Anthony Cooper, 29, Dartmouth, has been charged with Possession of Property Obtained by Crime and Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Crack Cocaine and Possession of Methadone.
A 25-year-old woman from Eastern Passage was arrested and released.
LeBlanc and Cooper have been remanded into police custody and are scheduled to appear at Dartmouth Provincial Court on June 1st. Clarke, Naugle and McCallister were released on a Promise to Appear in July.
The investigation is ongoing and further charges are expected.
Source: Release