KENTVILLE, NS - Two suspects allegedly involved in a targeted assault and robbery in Kentville who were arrested last week have been released from custody on conditions while a third suspect remains at large.
Bryce Douglas Brooks, 23, of Bishopville, and Stephen Ryan McKay, 22, of Greenwood, were arrested last week after police received tips from the public and through Crime Stoppers. Both suspects made initial court appearances on Jan. 11 and both consented to being remanded in custody until Jan. 15 for a bail hearing.
The court ordered a publication ban on evidence given at the bail hearing. Both Brooks and McKay were released from custody on a $10,000 non-cash recognizance with conditions, each with two sureties. Their matters have been adjourned to Feb. 13. The two have been ordered to have no contact with each other, the alleged victim or a third suspect whom police have been unable to locate.
Brooks and McKay are charged jointly with robbery; having their faces masked with intent to commit an indictable offence, break, enter and theft, uttering a threat to cause bodily harm or death, stealing property from an individual valued at less than $5,000 and aggravated assault.
Insp. Darryl Brown of the Kentville Police Service said in a Jan. 16 interview that police are actively looking for the third suspect who remains at large, Franklin Dale McKay, 28, also of Greenwood.
“As of today, he’s still out there,” Brown said. “We’re receiving some information but his location is not known at this moment for us to go get him.”
He said the public seems to be aware that they are actively looking for McKay. Police continue to receive tips from citizens and through Crime Stoppers.
On Jan. 4, the Kentville Police Service received a complaint from a man that he had been assaulted and bound with tape at his Academy Street residence in Kentville.
The man alleges that at approximately 5 a.m., three individuals – two wearing masks – entered the victim’s home and assaulted him. They then allegedly took property and fled the scene. Police were notified of the incident after neighbours took the victim to hospital. The victim was treated and later released.
Police allege that this was a targeted incident, as those involved are known to one another. In an earlier interview, Brown said police believe that Franklin Dale McKay arrived at the scene together with the other two suspects and it appears that the incident was planned.
Anyone with information on Franklin Dale McKay’s whereabouts or the Jan. 4 incident is asked to call the Kentville Police Service at 902-678-3378 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Click here for the initial story on the alleged targeted robbery.
Click here for a story on the arrests of two of the suspects.
