Cumberland RCMP Charge Two With Assault and More

Cumberland County RCMP have charged two people in an assault on police officers after multiple incidents near Oxford and Amherst.

The events unfolded last Thursday (August 18) when police were alerted about a GMC Sierra Denali heavy duty pickup truck that was stolen in Colchester County. It was being tracked by the OnStar Stolen Vehicle Assistance service.

Cumberland RCMP sighted the vehicle leaving Highway 104 at Exit 6 in Oxford. An officer tried to stop the truck but it sped away at a high rate of speed and the officer did not give chase.

Instead, OnStar continued to track the vehicle and RCMP and Amherst police prepared an intercept as the truck tried to re-enter the Trans Canada at Exit 4.

RCMP police cars had blocked the on ramp and officers were ready with a spike belt. As the truck approached the blockage, Amherst Police vehicles blocked off the ramp behind the vehicle so that it could not flee. 

The truck backed up the ramp, striking an Amherst Police vehicle. The truck then drove forward, striking an RCMP vehicle before it veered into the ditch where it stopped.

Officers from the two forces safely arrested two occupants of the truck, the driver, a 26-year-old man, and the passenger, a 31-year-old woman, both from New Brunswick. 

During the arrest the passenger kicked the arresting officers, however the officers were not seriously injured and did not require medical attention.

During a subsequent search of the truck, police located several tools that had been reported stolen.

Francois Charbonneau was charged with:

• Possession of Stolen Property over $5,000, 
• Possession of Stolen Property under $5,000, 
• Assaulting a Peace Officer with a Weapon, 
• Flight from Police and 
• Dangerous Operation of a Conveyance. 

Charbonneau was held in custody and appeared in Amherst Provincial Court on Monday, where he was released on conditions by the court.

Stephanie Williamson was charged with: 

• Possession of Stolen property over $5,000, 
• Possession of Stolen Property under $5,000, and
• Resisting Arrest. 

Williamson was held in custody and appeared in Amherst Provincial Court last Friday, where she was released on conditions.

Both will return to Amherst Provincial Court on September 26th.

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