Halifax police respond to 871 calls for service over the weekend

CITYnews halifax / By Natasha O’Neill

It was a busy weekend for Halifax police as the force responded to many calls including a vehicle theft, two robberies and a break-in that resulted in the homeowner being assaulted.

In total police were called 871 times over the weekend.

On Dec. 6, officers were called to Queen Street and Morris Street where they were flagged down by a man. It was around 10:30 p.m. and the man said another person stole his vehicle.

Police found the vehicle a short distance away at a gas station at 1145 Barrington Street. The vehicle sped away at a high rate but hit a telephone pole. At this time the driver left the vehicle and ran away. Police did find the suspect and arrested him.

As a result a 16-year-old is facing the following charges:

• Theft of motor vehicle
• Dangerous operation of a conveyance
• Flight from peace officer
• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
• Obstruct justice
• Breach of release order

The next evening, on Dec. 7 police were called to a robbery in progress at the Needs Convenience store on Duffus Street in Halifax.

According to officials, a man entered the store, went up to the counter and opened the cigarette drawer. The employee left the store without incident. The man then left with a quantity of cigarettes on foot.

The suspect is described as a white man, about 180 pounds and 5’10”. He is between 35 and 40 years old and has a stocky build. Police note at the time of the incident he was wearing a black balaclava, a black coat, grey sweatpants, black sneakers and red gloves with a Coca-Cola logo printed in white. He was carrying a grey backpack.

Another robbery took place the next evening on Dec. 8.

At around 8:00 p.m. officers responded to a robbery at another gas station. This time a man demanded money from the employee at the counter and left on foot with a quantity of bills. The employee was not injured.

Police were able to find and arrest a 20-year-old in connection to the incident.

He was held for court and faces charges of charges of robbery, possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose and carrying a concealed weapon.

During this time, another detachment was responding to a residential break-in in Dartmouth.

It happened around 8:15 p.m. in the 60 block of Pine Street. Two men tried to break into the garage when they were confronted by the homeowner, who was assaulted by the suspects.

One of the men left on foot while the other fled in a vehicle. The homeowner was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect who ran away is a white man with a thin build. At the time, he was wearing white track pants and a white sweater. The other in the vehicle is described as a man with a stocky build who was wearing dark clothing at the time.

Anyone with information or video from the area is asked to call police at 902-490-5020.