Downtown operation was to effect arrest - cops
Monday night police presence was to apprehend suspect in break-in case in which imitation firearm was used, reports Fredericton Police Force
A previously unexplained police operation that shut down a downtown Fredericton neighbourhood Monday night has now been explained: officers were arresting a break-in suspect.
Fredericton residents started sharing reports and photos of a major police presence at the bottom of Smythe Street near the roundabout with Brunswick Street and Woodstock Road shortly before 9 p.m. Monday.
Numerous officers, including members of the force’s emergency response team in full tactical gear, were on the scene, with firearms drawn, including rifles.
The force’s armoured rescue vehicle was also deployed.
Officers shut down the area and directed people away from the scene, according to reports on social media.
The Fredericton Police Force issued no alerts on social media or other avenues Monday night to explain what was happening or if there was any risk to the public.
The Fredericton Independent emailed the force and left a message for the shift supervisor late Monday as well, but received no responses.
Fredericton Police Force spokesperson Megan Barker responded to the original email inquiry just before 1 p.m. Tuesday, explaining officers were effecting an arrest of a suspect.
“On the evening of June 12, the Fredericton Police Force (FPF) learned of the location of an individual involved in a break and enter at a residence on the south side where an imitation firearm was used,” she wrote.
“FPF members responded to the location and successfully arrested the individual who is currently in custody awaiting charges.”
Barker said while officers secured the perimeter at the scene, they didn’t require the public to avoid the area.
“There was no concern for public safety,” she wrote in a followup email. “As an active police situation, no further information was put out at the time.”
Barker declined to name the suspect as that person had yet to appear before a judge at that point.
However, if the suspect is still in custody, typically, officers have 24 hours to bring a detained person before a court if they want that individual’s detention to continue.
Barker didn’t say the defendant was brought before a judge Tuesday.
She said the investigation is being conducted in tandem with the RCMP, as it has a similar, possibly related file within its jurisdiction.
Barker didn’t detail when the operation began or when officers cleared the scene, noting that information wouldn’t be provided since the case is an active investigation.
Don MacPherson can be contacted at ftonindependent@gmail.com.