Pictou County District RCMP investigating several suspicious fires
Pictou County District RCMP is investigating several suspicious fires that occurred on October 3.
Starting at approximately 9:50 p.m. and continuing through the evening, police and fire services were called to fires at four different locations:
- At 9:52 p.m., first responders attended a report of a barn on fire near Germaine Rd. and Hwy. 104 in Broadway. There were no animals in the barn.
o A suspicious fire took place at another structure on this property on September 30. Both fires are under investigation.
- At 10:00 p.m., officers attended a report of a car on fire at the carpool parking lot at Exit27, Hwy. 104, near Sutherlands River. The car was fully engulfed when first responders arrived.
- At 11:10 p.m., officers attended a report of a fire at a portable toilet on Lovat Rd. near Salt Springs. A person in the area observed the fire and was able to extinguish it before there was significant damage.
- At 11:18 p.m., officers attended a report of a truck on fire in a parking lot on Pleasant Valley Rd., Pleasant Valley. The truck was destroyed by the fire.
Investigators believe these four fires are related. The investigation is ongoing in partnership with the Office of the Fire Marshal.
Officers want to speak with the occupants of two vehicles seen near the fires on October 3. The first is a four-door car observed on video. The second is a pickup truck, likely a Chevrolet. The drivers or passengers may have information that can support the investigations.
Anyone with information about these incidents, including the two vehicles, in encouraged to contact Pictou County District RCMP at 902-485-4333. 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.
-RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment Street Crime Enforcement Unit charges two after search warrant executions
The RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment (HRD) Street Crime Enforcement Unit (SCEU) has charged two men after seizing weapons and drugs in Porters Lake and Bedford.
On October 1, the RCMP HRD SCEU, with assistance of the RCMP Emergency Response Team (ERT) and Halifax Regional Police ERT, executed search warrants at a property on Boulderhill Rd., Porters Lake, and at an apartment in the 0-100 block of the Bedford Hwy.
Nicholas Daniel Gaetz, 30, of Lake Loon, and Devin James Colins, 32, of Porters Lake, were safely arrested.
During the searches, RCMP officers seized two loaded 9 mm handguns, including one without the serial number, 10 long guns, switch blades, cocaine, MDMA, and drug paraphernalia.
Gaetz and Collins have both been charged with:
- Contravenes a Regulation to Store, Handle, Transport, Ship, Display Firearm (two counts)
- Careless Use of a Firearm
- Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
- Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
- Possession of Firearm Knowing Possession is Unauthorized
- Possession of Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition
- Possession of Weapon Obtained by Commission of Offence
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking
Gaetz was held in custody and is making an appearance in Dartmouth Provincial Court on October 15. Collins was released and will be appearing in Dartmouth Provincial Court on December 10.
