Man facing more than a dozen charges after Nova Scotia robberies

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A 39-year-old man is facing more than a dozen charges after multiple robberies in the East Hants and Halifax areas of Nova Scotia earlier this month.

The RCMP first responded to an armed robbery at a business on Highway 214 in Elmsdale on Sept. 8.

Police say a man threatened a clerk with a knife before leaving with cash, cigarettes and lottery tickets.

The man was seen driving a small silver or grey hatchback.

Police responded to a report of a stolen truck from a business in the 1000 block of Highway 214 in Belnan the next day.

The RCMP says a Ford F150 truck was stolen from a parking lot and a Hyundai Accent was left behind.

Police believe the Hyundai was the vehicle used to flee the armed robbery in Elmsdale. They also believe the vehicle was stolen on Sept. 6 from the 1500 block of Dresden Row in Halifax.

The RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment responded to a report of an armed robbery at a gas station in the 1000 block of St. Margarets Bay Road in Beechville on Sept. 10.

Police say a man pointed a firearm at the clerk, demanded money from the till and left with cash, cigarettes and lottery tickets.

The firearm was found at the scene and police determined it was an imitation.

The RCMP gathered forensic evidence from the Hyundai and identified the suspect as Kyle Joshua Heath of Dartmouth.

A warrant was then obtained for his arrest. Officers in the province were sent a description of Heath and the stolen Ford F-150.

Halifax Regional Police officers saw a truck matching the description on Quinpool Road around 3:30 a.m. on Sept. 12.

Police say the officers also recognized the driver as Heath and tried to pull him over, but he didn’t stop.

Officers pursued the truck to a dead-end road where Heath and a passenger allegedly fled on foot.

Heath was arrested and has been charged with:

• robbery (two counts)
• possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose (two counts)
• possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 (two counts)
• theft of motor vehicle
• use of an imitation firearm while committing an offence
• pointing a firearm
• possession of firearm knowing possession is unauthorized
• intent to commit an indictable offence, has face masked
• possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
• dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
• flight – operate motor vehicle in evading peace officer
• resists/obstructs peace officer
• mischief
• possession of counterfeit money

The passenger was released without charges.

Heath appeared in Halifax provincial court on Monday. He remains in custody and is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 23.

Police say the robbery investigations are ongoing and additional charges are expected.

They are asking anyone with information about the incidents to call their nearest RCMP detachment, local police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

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