**** RCMP Media Release
Truck stolen while owner was leaning against it
At 3:41 p.m. on February 19, Yarmouth Rural RCMP responded to a 911 call reporting a theft of a truck that was in progress. Two men were leaning up against the side of a truck, when a young male jumped into the driver’s seat, started it, and drove away. One man was struck by the truck’s mirror as it drove off, however he did not require hospital treatment. A woman who was also at the scene got into another vehicle and followed the truck. The driver of the stolen truck lost control, and the woman located it on the side of the road on Leighton St. The suspect was still inside, and he told the woman to leave or he would shoot her.
The woman left the area and RCMP officers, including a Police Dog and Handler, arrived at the scene a short time later. The police dog located a track, and the suspect entered the nearby woods. The Police Dog and Handler tracked the suspect and he was arrested without incident. He was taken to Yarmouth Rural Detachment where he is being held in custody pending a court appearance later today. During the incident, police officers spoke with staff at a nearby school and the decision was made to put the school in “Hold and Secure” status while the matter was ongoing. Once the suspect was arrested, the school status returned to normal.
Austin Blake Rhyno, 23, of Wedgeport, has been charged with:
- Theft Over $5000
- Theft Under $5000
- Uttering Threats
- Assault with a Weapon
The investigation is ongoing.
