RCMP Arrest New Minas Man Following Stand off, Chester Basin, N.S

On August 23rd, 2011 at approximately 5:30 p.m., Lunenburg County Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) were called to a complaint of a male who entered a house in Chester Basin, Lunenburg County, with a firearm and barricaded himself in the house with a hostage. RCMP surrounded the residence and evacuated neighbours for their safety. After approximately one hour, the hostage escaped the residence unharmed. RCMP members at the scene were able to establish contact with the armed subject, and began to negotiate with him. After approximately one hour of negotiating with the subject, he surrendered without incident.

He was then transported to South Shore Regional Hospital for observation. A loaded firearm was recovered at the scene. A 47 year-old New Minas man is currently in custody and will face charges including 3 Counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose – 88(2) Criminal Code (CC), 1 count pointing a firearm – 87(2)CC, 2 counts uttering threats – 264.1(1)(a)CC, 1 count forcible confinement – 279(2)CC, 1 count assault- 266 CC. The man will appear in Court at a later date.