Man charged over stolen truck, residents threatened with firearm in Kings County

A 33-year-old man from Harmony, NS, has been charged with dangerously driving a vehicle after a truck was stolen, leading to several other incidents in the area.

Kings District RCMP says in a press release that they received a complaint at 7 p.m. Sunday about a Ford Ranger suffering burnouts in nearby Tremont. During the search, they learned that the truck had been reported stolen early Sunday morning in the Torbrook area of ​​Annapolis County.

At 8:20 p.m. that night, police received a report of a hit-and-run on Harmony Road in Nicholsville. They say two people in a Jeep Wrangler were looking for the stolen vehicle when they found it and the suspect.

Copl. Guillaume Tremblay said in an interview Thursday that the suspect rammed the Ranger into the Wrangler. The driver of the Wrangler got out of the vehicle to confront the suspect and was thrown to the ground when the suspect drove the Ranger into them.

The suspect then fled. The driver of the Wrangler was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Soon after, RCMP learned that two other people were at a property on Canaan Road in Morristown, looking for the stolen Ranger. The complainant had seen them drive a station wagon to apprehend the Ranger, who was driving recklessly.

At around 9:20 PM, RCMP found the unoccupied Ford Ranger on a trail in Auburn. The Mounties’ canine services were then called in to assist. Shortly too late, RCMP say they have received a report of a possible shooting at Aylesford Road. A man driving a Kia Forte was chasing the stolen Ford Ranger when the Ranger’s driver rammed into the Forte.

The suspect in the Ranger brandished a firearm and fired at the driver of the Forte before driving away, police say. The driver of the Forte suffered minor injuries, but no gunshot wounds. Tremblay says the person who was shot at knew the suspect.

Further costs expected

The Nova Scotia RCMP Emergency Response Team was called in and a unit of police dogs led them to a house on Highway 1 in Auburn. The suspect was not found, but the police were able to determine his identity.

He was arrested on Tuesday when officers found him in another house nearby.

He has been charged with dangerously operating a means of transportation, causing bodily harm and possession of property obtained by felony. He appeared in Kentville County Court and was taken into custody. His next court date is scheduled for August 1.

RCMP says further charges are expected to be filed in the case.

In the release, they also warn that many of the incidents occurred as a result of vigilance, calling it “risky and dangerous behavior that will not be tolerated.”

Tremblay says many of the people chasing the suspect knew the truck’s owner and had learned through social media that it had been stolen.

He says residents should leave these kinds of situations to the police.

“It can be very dangerous. And, not to mention, you could be committing a number of criminal offenses yourself if you drive recklessly, operate your vehicle in a dangerous manner or speed,” he says. “Or you might be involved in a hit-and-run with someone else… So you’re putting the public and yourself at risk if you do those things.”