Latest news with #P.E.I.RCMP
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
P.E.I. woman, 1 of many arrested last weekend for impaired driving, tested 3.6 times over limit
Police in Prince Edward Island arrested several people for impaired driving over the weekend, with one in particular allegedly testing over three times the legal limit of alcohol. Saturday and Sunday, the P.E.I. RCMP made eight arrests, with just two being for non-impaired related offences. Cpl. Gavin Moore, the media relations officer for the P.E.I. RCMP, said it's uncommon to see so many alcohol-related driving offences in one cluster. "We have seen in recent years that a significant number of our impaired arrests are impaired by cannabis and other drugs," he said. "Over this weekend, these were all alcohol-related." Moore said the one drivers, a 45-year woman, allegedly recorded a blood-alcohol reading reading of 0.29 on Saturday. That's more than three-and-a-half times the legal limit of 0.08. "That's a very high reading, he said. "Beyond that is quite often lethal for people." Moore said the RCMP expects to see more cases of impaired driving as the summer tourism season begins. "There are only so many police to address impaired driving," he said. "We do our best to have a strong presence on Island roads, but it is even more vital that Islanders know that 911 is there for any time you see a potential impaired driver." Summerside collision leads to impaired charges Police in Summerside also responded to a rear-end collision that allegedly involved impaired driving on Saturday. Near the scene, officers found a black sport-utility vehicle, which had been the subject of an earlier erratic driving complaint, in the yard of a residence on Granville Street. The SUV had come to rest against a shed with all of its airbags deployed. Bystanders pointed officers to the driver, a 31-year-old man from Ontario, who police said showed signs of impairment by alcohol. The man was issued a seven-day driving suspension, his vehicle was impounded and he was released on a surety — money that will be forfeited if he fails to comply with the conditions of his release. The man will appear in court at a future date to answer to charges related to impaired driving. 'It is disappointing' Karen Clinton, president of the King and Queens chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving in P.E.I., she said she hopes Islanders make more responsible decisions when deciding to drive. "It is disappointing. We hope with the information we're sharing with MADD and the messages that we're trying to get out that people will make smart choices and have a sober drive prepared," she said. "With the culture that we have, drinking is a part of that and people enjoy some drinks while partaking in... activities. We would like to see more people be more responsible." Clinton echoed sentiments from MADD Canada CEO Steve Sullivan, who is advocating for the P.E.I. government to implement immediate licence suspensions for those who fail a roadside screening test for alcohol or drugs. "We know that the provincial government is very supportive of this, it's going through legislation right now and we're working out details," she said. "It results in immediate consequences, which kind of makes people think more about whether or not they want to risk their vehicle getting taken away along with those other consequences that comes with that."
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Retired P.E.I. Catholic priest facing historical sex-related charges
A retired Roman Catholic priest on Prince Edward Island is facing sex-related charges that go back to the late 1980s. RCMP began an investigation that led to charges being laid against Rev. Brendon Earl Gallant, 79, after the alleged victim came forward two years ago. He made his first appearance in provincial court in Georgetown on May 22. Proceedings were adjourned to give him time to get a lawyer. None of the allegations have been proven in court and Gallant has not yet entered any pleas. The charges filed in Kings County include sexual interference and invitation to sexual touching, and cite a single victim who was under the age of 14 at the time of the alleged offences. The location cited in the documents was St. Margaret's, one of the many communities Gallant served over his time in the priesthood. Diocese posts statement "The Diocese of Charlottetown has learned that a retired priest made an appearance in court recently where he faced charges related to sexual offences involving a minor," the diocese wrote in a statement posted to its website. "We can confirm the priest is not in active ministry. We invite prayers for all affected by this news. We are committed to ensuring our churches are safe environments." Gallant also served as a priest at Catholic churches in Cardigan, Little Pond, St. Georges, Georgetown, Souris, Charlottetown, Glenwood, Brae, Alberton, Bloomfield, Foxley River, St. Charles and Burton before retiring after his last posting in Tignish in 2018. The list is long because some Catholic priests on P.E.I. are responsible for multiple smaller communities at the same time, driving among them for weekend Mass and other services. In an email correspondence with CBC News, the chancellor of the Diocese of Charlottetown, Fr. Chris Sherren, said they learned about the charges the day before Gallant's first appearance. However, he said the diocese had been aware Gallant might be under investigation. "We knew it involved potential sexual misconduct, so we immediately removed him from active ministry as a precaution while we waited to see what would happen with the investigation," Sherren wrote. Sherren also confirmed Gallant was a priest in Kings County during the time frame covered by the allegations. The chancellor said the specific allegations were a surprise to him. In the statement posted to the diocese website, officials said the organization has a safe environment policy and anyone who wishes to report misconduct by a member of the clergy, lay staff or volunteer should call the diocese office or report directly to police. No other known victims In response to a request from CBC News, the P.E.I. RCMP issued a news release late Friday afternoon. "Any time there is a crime of this nature, there is always the concern that there are other victims. At this stage, we have no information showing other incidents," Cpl. Gavin Moore said in the release. "A sexual assault complaint can be made at any time, and there is no statute of limitations as to how far back the assault happened."
CBC
04-04-2025
- CBC
P.E.I. man who started string of cottage fires in 2023 to be sentenced in May
Social Sharing Crown and defence lawyers made their sentencing arguments in a P.E.I. courtroom Friday for a man who was behind a string of fires that destroyed cottages and damaged homes in 2023. Some of the victims also spoke about how they were affected by the crimes committed by Dakota Ellis. Last May, the Donaldston man pleaded guilty to a number of charges related to arson as well as breaking and entering to commit an indictable offence. Ellis was 19 at the time of the incidents. Three cottages were destroyed in Donaldston, Stanhope and Scotchfort. A home and a lifeguard hut in Prince Edward Island National Park were also damaged. Joanne Cook inherited her cottage from her parents, and told the court Friday that what was lost in the fire can't be replaced. She said she doesn't know if she can afford to rebuild — and even if she could, she's not sure she'd ever feel safe there again. Another woman whose home was damaged told the court she's lived in fear every day since the incidents because Ellis has not been in custody. Another family had a statement read in court on their behalf. They said they had planned to make memories in their cottage and the loss of that dream is what's hit them the hardest. But they said they forgive Ellis and hope he turns his life around. Ellis declined to speak in court on Friday. Crown, defence differ on sentencing According to a portion of the agreed statement of facts read out in the Charlottetown courtroom last year, Ellis broke into two cottages in Donaldston and one in Stanhope on Nov. 24 and 25, 2023, and used some type of fuel to start the fires. Also on Nov. 25, a homeowner on Afton Road in Scotchfort reported an odour of diesel and the presence of soot outside their house. There was no serious damage to the property. On Nov. 26, a lifeguard station in the Stanhope Beach area was vandalized, and authorities found soot and traces of an accelerant at the scene. Ellis and a youth who can't be named because of the Youth Criminal Justice Act were eventually arrested by P.E.I. RCMP. Ellis later told police he didn't like a young person who lived in one of the houses he targeted. The Crown asked for Ellis to be sentenced to a total of four years and six months, saying the crimes have had a significant impact on the victims. They argued that he already had a criminal record at the time of the offences and made a conscious decision to set the fires. If the crime is considered an arson spree, the Crown wants a six- to seven-year global sentence. The defence attorney is asking for 12 months in custody, saying Ellis has a history of mental illness and rehabilitation is important. Justice Gregory Cann said he wants to take time to review the material. Ellis will wear an electronic monitoring device in the meantime. The case was adjourned until May 13 for sentencing.
CBC
24-03-2025
- CBC
Queens County man charged with making 3D-printed weapons, P.E.I. RCMP say
Social Sharing A 50-year-old man from Queens County, P.E.I., faces five charges that include firearms manufacturing after police seized a number of 3D-printed weapons last month. The accused is being held in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday for a bail hearing. On Feb. 24, Queens District RCMP received information that the man was making threats online and arrested him at his home, according to a news release from the P.E.I. RCMP's Federal Serious and Organized Crime Unit, or FSOC. Officers executed a search warrant at the home the next day and seized a number of weapons, including knives, a crossbow and several 3D-printed firearm parts. The man has been charged with one count each of uttering threats, possession of a weapon while under a court-ordered prohibition, firearms manufacturing, and two counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. Cpl. Gavin Moore, the P.E.I. RCMP's media relations officer, said this is the first time he's aware of that the seizure of 3D-printed guns has led to charges on the Island. "We do know that this is a technology that is being adopted more and more," Moore said. "It's important that, should anybody have any information about the printing of firearms, that they report that and help keep Islanders safe." 3D-printed guns fall into a category of homemade firearms referred to as "ghost guns," in part because they are untraceable. They have no serial number because the printed part of the gun is the receiver, among the parts that are regulated in Canada. Plans for producing these firearms are readily available online, and the items can be made using a consumer-grade 3D printer. Moore said the mandatory minimum sentence for firearms manufacturing is one year in jail, up to a maximum of 10 years. The FSOC is leading the P.E.I. investigation with assistance from the National Weapons Enforcement Team, a unit of firearms experts that helps the RCMP with weapons cases.
CBC
08-03-2025
- CBC
RCMP asking for help locating missing Prince County man
Police in Prince Edward Island are asking for the public's help in finding an 83-year-old Summerside man who's been missing since Friday. Elmer Arsenault was last seen Friday at 11:30 a.m. at the Wellington Co-Op driving a silver 2013 Toyota Matrix with the P.E.I. licence plate 789 JB, RCMP said in a news release. Arsenault is described as five feet 10 inches tall and 220 pounds with grey short hair and green eyes. He was last seen wearing a green hoodie and grey pants. Family and friends have also reated a Facebook group where they've been posting updates about the search efforts. Hoping for help from the public Cpl. Gavin Moore, the P.E.I. RCMP's media relations officer, said the police continued to search roads in Prince County overnight and into Saturday. He encouraged people to check any doorbell camera or security footage they may have from the time Arsenault was last spotted in the Wellington area. "We're certainly grateful for all of the community members who are out and making their own efforts to try and locate Mr. Arsenault," Moore told CBC News. "The more eyes we have out there looking, the more possibilities and the more hope we have of finding a positive resolution to this." Moore said the RCMP has contacted ground search and rescue and air services about adding those resources to the search efforts. "When we have winter conditions and somebody who is 83 years old, those are certainly factors that come into this," he said. "We certainly hope that Mr. Arsenault is well and our efforts continue to find him."
