**** RCMP Media Release
Update: Kings District RCMP identify man involved in Assault on a police officer
Kings District RCMP have identified man involved in Assault on a police officer that occurred in New Minas.
The RCMP would like to thank members of the public for their shares on social media.
Kings District RCMP investigates an Assault on a police officer
Kings District RCMP is investigating an Assault on a police officer that occurred in New Minas.
On January 18, at 1:53 a.m., a Kings District RCMP officer observed a blue 2010 Hyundai Tucson being driven erratically on Highbury Rd. and conducted a traffic stop.
During the traffic stop, to verify level of impairment, the officer demanded the male driver exit the vehicle to provide breath samples into an approved screening device. The driver refused and fled the scene, driving over the officer’s foot.
The officer attempted to complete another traffic stop with the vehicle but the driver refused to stop. The suspect’s vehicle appeared to have mechanical issues and came to a stop on the exit 12 ramp. The suspect fled on foot.
A search of the area was conducted by Kings District RCMP, with the assistance from RCMP Police Dog Services, but the search was unsuccessful.
The suspect’s vehicle was towed to the New Minas RCMP Detachment where it will ne examined by the RCMP Forensic Identification Services.
The officer was injured and treated at the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The officer has since been released from hospital.
The suspect is still at large.
Anyone with information or who can identify the suspect is asked to contact the Kings District RCMP at 902-679-5555. Should you wish 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 charge a man in relation to a hate motivated assault
RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment has charged a man in relation to a hate motivated crime that occurred in Middle Sackville.
On January 17, shortly before 9 p.m., RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment responded to a report of an assault that occurred outside a restaurant on Sackville Dr. RCMP officers learned that two men were involved in a verbal altercation inside the restaurant. The altercation moved outside after racial slurs were expressed by one man. The same man then assaulted the other individual with a sensory irritant before fleeing on foot.
The victim, a 30-year-old Lower Sackville man, suffered minor injuries. He was treated at the scene by EHS.
At approximately 11:15 p.m., RCMP officers located the 31-year-old Sackville man involved in the incident, at the Halifax Transit terminal on Cobequid Rd., and safely arrested him.
Information gathered by investigators indicates that the offence was motivated by hate, based on the race of the victim.
Scott Alonzo Merk, 31, has been charged with:
- Assault with a Weapon
- Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
- Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Weapon
- Possession of a Weapon Contrary to an Order
Merk appeared in court yesterday and was remanded into custody. He will return in Dartmouth Provincial Court on February 8, 2024, at 9:30 a.m.
The RCMP takes incidents of hate with utmost seriousness and condemns these criminal acts.
