Fredericton standoff suspect denied bail
William Bruce Joncas, 46, charged after police surrounded apartment building Oct. 15
A Fredericton man arrested after a major police response at a northside apartment building earlier this month has been denied bail.
William Bruce Joncas, 46, of Irvine Street, appeared in Fredericton provincial court by video from the Saint John Regional Correctional Centre on Monday for a bail hearing.
He faces charges of assaulting Christine LeBreton with a knife, uttering a threat to her to cause death and/or bodily harm, uttering threats to the same woman that he’d cause death and/or bodily harm to police and possessing a knife for the purpose of committing an offence.
The charges arose as a result of a report of a man brandishing a weapon at an apartment building on the city’s north side more than a week ago.
“Fredericton police responded to a call on Sunday afternoon [Oct. 15] at approximately 3:20 p.m., at 711 Irvine St. on Fredericton’s north side, of a complaint of threats and weapons,” police spokesperson Sonya Gilks told the Fredericton Independent.
“Several units were dispatched, and a 46-year old male was arrested and taken into custody, where he was remanded.”
Photos from the scene showed officers were armed and taking up strategic positions around the apartment building that afternoon.
Evidence presented at Joncas’ bail hearing Monday is subject to a ban on publication until the case concludes, as are the reasons for the judge’s decision.
Judge Cameron Gunn ruled the Crown had shown cause that Joncas’ continued detention was justified, and he remanded him.
He adjourned the charges to Nov. 6 to give the defendant time to retain counsel.
The Fredericton Independent obtained a photo of an eviction notice placed on the door of Joncas’ apartment following his arrest Oct. 15.
"This is due to weapons and uttering death threats to other tenants. Fredericton city police, SWAT and forensics have all responded to this situation," the notice stated, citing reasons for the eviction.
The notice was signed by Rachael Whitlock, a representative of Sunfield Apartment Rentals, which owns 711 Irvine St. When contacted by the Independent, Whitlock confirmed the eviction notice was genuine, though she declined to comment any further on the situation.
Don MacPherson can be contacted at ftonindependent@gmail.com.