‘Coin-artist’ caught by Shelburne RCMP

32-year old Terelle Robert Talbot from Halifax was suspected of defrauding a bank in Antagonish early Tuesday, Feb 12 by submitting rolled pennies disguised as rolled dimes by putting a dime on each end of the penny roll.

Police across the province received information about the crime and Sgt. Barry MacLellan of the Shelburne RCMP took it upon himself to notify the banks in town.

Talbot arrived in Shelburne later that same day and walked into the CIBC to purchase $60 worth of pennies. He then went to the Scotia Bank and attempted to sell his pennies as dimes but the forewarned teller asked Talbot to unwrap the dimes before accepting them.

Talbot instead walked out and went back to the CIBC where he had purchased the pennies moments before and successfully sold the ‘dimes’ back to the bank for $600. Unbeknown to Talbot the teller had contacted the RCMP who were waiting for Talbot when he got to his vehicle outside the bank.

At this point Talbot jumped in his car and fled the scene. He attempted to allude two police vehicles by zig zagging through the Shelburne streets.

“He traveled up and down various side streets but not at a great speed,” said Sgt. MacLellan, “until he reached King Street where he sped up…well above the speed limit…and we stayed just behind until we got out of town.”

Sgt. MacLellan explained that for both the officers and the public’s safety they keep at a safe speed while still keeping the criminal in sight.

“Until we get out on the highway where there are better roads and the traffic is not as great…then we can get the emergency equipment activated and travel at a higher speed.”

Talbot sped along the highway and took the Jordon Bay exit to Lockeport following the loop where he was finally cornered in Allendale. He attempted to flee again, when his vehicle went off the road and into a ditch. He then escaped on foot and out of sight from the pursuing officers.

“We started doing neighbourhood inquiries to let them know we were looking for an individual and the first house we checked he happened to be in the front door,” said Sgt. MacLellan.

Talbot appeared in the Barrington Provincial Court Thursday, Feb 14 for fraud charges in relation to the incident.

He pled guilty to: Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, fraud/defrauds the public, attempt to defraud the public, operation of a motor vehicle while attempting to evade the police and failing to comply with an undertaking.

Talbot received three months in custody, a one year driving prohibition, and twelve months probation.

He has been given two appearance notices for court on similar charges in Liverpool and Antagonish.