Man Faces Charges Following Incident in Deer Lake

RCMP have charged 66-year-old George Brake of Woody Point in relation to the incident in Deer Lake yesterday.

Deer Lake RCMP and Traffic Services West responded following a report of a man exhibiting erratic behaviour and expressing comments referencing firearms and that he was heading to Deer Lake to “stop the election’.

He was travelling in a truck from the Bonne Bay area.

The RCMP had serious concerns for public safety, including the safety of the sitting MHA for the area and political candidates. Police located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop.

The driver refused to pull over and sped away. Police pursued and made the arrest when the truck stopped in Deer Lake near the office of a current political candidate. At that time, Brake uttered threats against local politicians. Thirty-six hunting and tactical knives were found in the truck. The man’s driver’s license was suspended and the truck seized and impounded.

He has been charged with:

• Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose

• Uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm

• Dangerous operation of a conveyance and

• Flight from peace officer.

Information concerning the arrest and threats uttered were shared with the Department of Justice and Public Safety and the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, as its mandate includes protection of those elected to public office.

The accused remains in custody. He will appear in court tomorrow.

Earlier Story

RCMP took a man from Shoal Brook into custody today after a police pursuit that ended in Deer Lake.

At approximately 10:15 a.m. this morning, police were notified that a man was acting in an unusual manner and said that he was going to Deer Lake to stop the election and made references to firearms.

He departed Bonne Bay in a truck heading towards Wiltondale.

Police responded immediately and located the described vehicle north of Cormack on Route 430.

A traffic stop was attempted but the truck sped up, failed to stop for police and continued to drive towards Deer Lake at a dangerous rate of speed.

The truck continued at dangerous speeds through the community and came to a stop at a local business, which contained the office of a current political candidate.

The man was removed from the vehicle and was arrested in the parking lot.

Officers located and seized a large quantity of various knives inside the vehicle.