RCMP warn against vigilantism as they investigate series of Deer Island incidents
CBC
RCMP are warning the public against acts of vigilantism as they investigate a series of incidents on Deer Island that saw a car heavily damaged by a group of people and a building burned to the ground.
Police "do not condone the public taking policing matters into their own hands," New Brunswick RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Stéphane Esculier said in a statement Wednesday.
"Doing this puts themselves and others in their communities at risk, including someone being seriously injured or killed, or facing arrest and legal proceedings for their own actions."
The warning comes as investigators from the St. George detachment are on Deer Island, with members from specialized units, such a forensic identification and community crime reduction, on their way, Esculier told CBC News.
"We're definitely dedicated to conduct the investigation fully."
The series of incidents started Tuesday, shortly after 11 p.m., when RCMP received a report of a disturbance at the ferry terminal on Deer Island, said Esculier.
A car was "heavily damaged by a group of unknown individuals" and returned to the mainland. There, St. George officers spoke to the people whose car was damaged.
About an hour later, police were called about a fire at an "abandoned residence" on the island, Esculier said.
"According to preliminary investigation, it would appear that the fire would be suspicious in nature, most likely criminal."
Then, on Wednesday, around 10:30 a.m., police received a report of a theft of fuel at the ferry terminal on Deer Island.
Esculier could not immediately comment on reports of alleged vigilantism by local residents over recent thefts, which have included everything from gas and batteries to fishing equipment and lobsters, according to some people CBC has spoken to.
It's all part of the investigation, he said, noting it could be a lengthy one. Anyone with any information about the incidents can call St. George RCMP or Crime Stoppers.
Esculier confirmed an RCMP officer used to be stationed on the island but not for "a few years." Calls are handled by St. George instead. He could not immediately say why.
It takes about 20 minutes to drive from St. George to Letete to catch the ferry to Deer Island. The crossing takes about 20 minutes, according to the Department of Transportation's website.
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