**** Amherst Police Release
Brian Stephen MacDonald, 46, of Amherst was arraigned in Amherst provincial court on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, on three charges stemming from two explosions that rocked the Town of Amherst earlier this week.
MacDonald is charged under these sections of Criminal Code:
1. Section 81(1)(a) – With the intent to cause an explosion of an explosive substance – an improvised explosive device that was likely to cause serious damage to property – did detonate an improvised explosive device;
2. Section 81(1)(c) – With intent to destroy or damage property without lawful excuse, placed or threw an explosive substance anywhere;
3. Section 81(d) – made an explosive device.
Macdonald was remanded and is scheduled to appear again in provincial court on Dec. 15, 2020, at 9:30 a.m. for a bail hearing.
MacDonald was arrested on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020.
During the investigation into the explosions, a residence on East Victoria Street was searched by Amherst Police with the assistance of the RCMP Explosive Disposal Unit, the Cumberland Integrated Street Crime Unit, Amherst Police Department Patrol Section and the Amherst Fire Department.
The first explosion was reported to police dispatch shortly after 10 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 7, 2020. It was described by callers as a large blast and was heard throughout the town. Responding officers found debris from a detonated device on Rupert Street, near the intersection with Agnew Street. No one was hurt in the incident, nor were there any reports of property damage.
The second explosion occurred in the Agnew Street area at about 2:40 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. Responding officers located debris from a device that had been detonated. No one was hurt and property damage was minimal.
Officers also found a second explosive device at the nearby Rotary Centennial Park that had not detonated. The RCMP Explosive Disposal Unit safely detonated that device Wednesday morning after they had examined it.
Police are seeking assistance from the public and are asking anyone who has any information about the incident to contact the Amherst Police Department at (902) 667-8600 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) and quote file number 2020-1785491.
