RCMP capture Edward Hayes Jr. on Aug. 15
A Benton man appeared in Fredericton Provincial Court in custody by video on Aug. 18 after being on the lam for three weeks.
Edward Hayes, Jr., 30, was charged by RCMP with obstructing police following an incident on Aug. 15 near Meductic when a male suspect jumped into the Eel River and was captured and taken into custody. More charges are pending with the RCMP and Woodstock Police.
Hayes waived his bail until later and was remanded to jail to await his plea on Sept. 4 at 9:30 a.m.
Arrest warrants were issued for Hayes after a series of alleged offences that occurred on July 25 in Benton and Woodstock. Police had been looking for Hayes since that time.
On July 25, police were patrolling in the Benton area when they came across a male individual driving an ATV with no helmet. The driver was identified as Hayes, who was subject to several conditions, including a prohibition against driving and the requirement to wear an electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle, which he allegedly cut off.
Police reported that Hayes rammed a police vehicle with his ATV when officers tried to stop him and then fled the scene.
A short time later, police observed Hayes driving his ATV through the parking lot of the RCMP detachment in Woodstock and across the front lawn at the Woodstock Courthouse. Both properties sustained minor damage.
Police issued an advisory that, if anyone saw Hayes, they should not approach him but call the police.
On Aug.15, police and an ambulance responded to a call in Benton about an alleged assault with a weapon and possible theft of a motor vehicle.
On Aug. 14, an incident was posted on social media about a theft of gas at the Debec Store.
