**** RCMP Media Release
UPDATE: RCMP charge two with firearms offences after break-in in Three Brooks
Pictou County District RCMP has charged two men with firearms offences after a break-in at a home on Three Brook Rd. in Three Brooks.
On March 3, at approximately 10:35 a.m., police responded to a report of a break-in at a home on Three Brooks Rd. in Three Brooks. Police learned that during the break-in, 10 firearms were stolen, including a revolver, a pistol, shotguns and a rile. A crossbow was also stolen. Police have identified a black sedan as being involved in the break-in.
At approximately 12:55 p.m. on March 4, police had setup a checkpoint on Hwy. 6 near Pictou when a black sedan approached the checkpoint and turned around. Police attempted to perform a traffic stop on the vehicle, however the vehicle refused to stop and fled. While fleeing, a backpack was thrown from the vehicle, which police seized. Police located the stolen revolver in the backpack.
At approximately 1:15 p.m., the black sedan was located at a home on Hedgeville Rd. in Hedgeville. Police observed a man walking from the sedan towards a home on Hedgeville Rd. The man was arrested safely and transported to the Pictou RCMP Detachment where he was lodged in cells. Hedgeville Rd. was subsequently closed to the public while police secured the area around the home and began negotiating with the occupants.
At approximately 3:20 p.m., three people exited the home and were safely arrested. All three were transported to the Pictou RCMP Detachment and lodged in cells. Police, with the assistance of the RCMP Emergency Response Team and RCMP Police Dog Services, later executed a search warrant at the home and conducted a search of the property. Police located and seized four more of the stolen firearms, two crossbows and ammunition.
Brandon Joseph Ward, 26, of Moncton, has been charged with Careless Use of a Firearm (5 counts), Unsafe Storage of a Firearm (5 counts), Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose (5 counts), Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm (5 counts), Possession of a Firearm Knowing Possession is Unauthorized (5 counts), Possession of a Firearm While Prohibited (5 counts), Possession of a Restricted Firearm while Unauthorized, Possession of a Weapon Obtained by the Commission of an Offence, Breach of Probation, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime and Flight from Police. Ward was remanded into custody and will appear in Pictou Provincial Court on March 7, 2022.
Patrick Owen MacDonald, 32, of River John, has been charged with Careless Use of a Firearm (5 counts), Unsafe Storage of a Firearm (5 counts), Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose (5 counts), Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm (5 counts), Possession of a Firearm Knowing Possession is Unauthorized (5 counts), Possession of a Firearm While Prohibited (5 counts), Possession of a Restricted Firearm while Unauthorized, Possession of a Weapon Obtained by the Commission of an Offence, Failure to Comply with Conditions of a Release Order and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime. MacDonald was remanded into custody and will appear in Pictou Provincial Court on March 7, 2022.
The other two people that were arrested were later released without charges.
The investigation was assisted by the Pictou County Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit and the Bible Hill RCMP.
