RCMP charge Eastern Passage man with arson and other offences
RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment has charged a man with seven offences, including arson, in relation to multiple incidents in Eastern Passage.
On July 14, at approximately 6 p.m., officers responded to a disturbance on Blockade Circle involving an agitated man armed with a hammer. Officers learned the man had threatened neighbours, damaged property and threatened to burn down his house. He was arrested at the scene, transported to hospital for assessment, and later released.
On July 18, at approximately 7:55 p.m., officers received a report that a man walking a dog near Cow Bay Rd. and Garrison Dr. was harming the animal. As officers were unable to attend immediately, the matter was referred to Halifax Animal Services and the SPCA.
On July 21, at approximately 9:10 p.m., officers responded to a disturbance and property damage complaint at a home in the 0-100 block of Blockade Circle. They learned an internet cable connected to a neighbouring residence had been ripped away and the person responsible had fled on foot.
While on scene, officers heard a fire alarm and observed smoke coming from a nearby home. Officers entered the property and used a fire extinguisher to suppress a basement fire until Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency arrived. Evidence gathered through a search warrant determined the fire had been intentionally set.
Later on July 21, Jason Andrew Whelan, 43, of Eastern Passage, was safely arrested. He’s been charged with:
- Arson
- Uttering Threats to Burn Real or Personal Property
- Possession of a Weapon Dangerous to the Public
- Resist Arrest
- Causing Unnecessary Suffering to an Animal
- Mischief (two counts)
Whelan appeared in Dartmouth Provincial Court on July 24 and was released on conditions. His next court appearance is scheduled for October 2.
- TrafficRCMP arrest three impaired drivers in HRM in separate driving incidents
RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment arrested three impaired drivers in separate driving incidents.
On July 23, at approximately 2:45 p.m., officers responded to a report of a Chevrolet pickup truck swerving into oncoming traffic in the 3200 block of Hwy. 2 in Fall River. The complainant followed from a safe distance and provided updates to police until officers arrived.
An officer stopped the pickup on Rocky Lake Dr. near the Hwy. 107 overpass. The driver displayed signs of impairment and was arrested.
The 26-year-old man from Dartmouth was transported to Lower Sackville RCMP Detachment where he refused to provide a breath sample.
He was issued summary offence tickets for Driving While License Suspended and No Insurance before he was released from police custody. He’s scheduled to appear in Dartmouth Provincial Court at a later date.
Later that evening, at approximately 11:30 p.m., officers responded to a report of a possible impaired driver in the drive-thru of a restaurant in the 500 block of Sackville Dr. in Lower Sackville. Officers learned a Dodge Ram had been swerving into oncoming traffic before hitting a curb as it entered the restaurant parking lot.
Officers located the Dodge on Old Beaver Bank Rd. and initiated a traffic stop. The driver was asked to provide a roadside breath sample, which resulted in a “fail.”
The driver, a 69-year-old man from Beaver Bank, was transported to the Lower Sackville RCMP Detachment where he provided two breath samples registering 120 mg% each. He was released and is scheduled to appear in Dartmouth Provincial Court at a later date.
On July 24, at approximately 1 a.m., RCMP, fire services and EHS responded to a single-vehicle crash on Sandstone Dr. in Hatchet Lake. Officers learned a Mazda 3 was in the ditch and the driver appeared to be impaired. A second caller reported seeing the same vehicle driving on the wrong side of the roadway.
Officers arrived on scene and located the driver in the care of EHS. An officer spoke with the driver, who exhibited signs of impairment. A roadside breath sample was obtained, which resulted in a “fail.”
The 37-year-old woman of Timberlea was arrested for impaired driving and was transported to the Tantallon RCMP Detachment where she provided two breath samples registering 220 mg% each.
She was released and is scheduled to appear in Halifax Provincial Court at a later date.
The RCMP thanks members of the public for reporting these incidents. Public reports are invaluable in helping police remove impaired drivers from the road before they can cause serious injury or death. Anyone who observes a suspected impaired driver is encouraged to call 911 and provide vehicle and location information when it’s safe to do so.
