P.E.I. man accused of backing stolen truck into store facing additional charges

A Prince Edward Island RCMP officer is pictured. (Source: P.E.I. RCMP)

A man accused of backing a stolen truck into a store in eastern Prince Edward Island last month is now facing additional charges.

Kings District RCMP responded to an alarm at RJ’s Country Store on Baldwins Road in Mount Stewart on Jan. 13.

Police said a stolen pickup truck had been used to ram into the front of the building to get inside around 3 a.m.

The building was significantly damaged.

Two suspects allegedly entered the store but did not take anything of significant value before fleeing.

Later that day, police said they received a report of a stolen pickup truck from Montague that matched the truck involved in the break and enter.

A man and woman were later arrested with the truck in Summerside.

Christopher Wayne Rush, 34, was arrested and charged with:

• break and enter
• mischief causing damage to property
• mischief causing damage to property
• possession of stolen property
• breach of probation (two counts)

Police say he was arrested again on Jan. 22 after allegedly making contact with a person contrary to court-ordered conditions.

He was remanded into custody on Jan. 27 and is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday and Feb. 18.

Charges related to the Jan. 22 incident include:

• failing to comply with a release order (two counts)
• breach of probation

“Remanding a person into custody is not the norm with every charged accused. It occurs when police bring an accused before the court and the court determines there are sufficient concerns regarding repeat offences, court attendance, or public safety,” said Cpl. Gavin Moore, a media relations officer for the P.E.I. RCMP.

For more P.E.I. news, visit our dedicated provincial page.