Media Releases
Man in Custody after Pursuit and Facing Numerous Charges
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Amherst Police Department
A 31-year-old New Brunswick man is in custody following an incident over the weekend where the male allegedly fled from Police in a stolen vehicle.
Normand Gautreau, aged 31, was arrested on the evening of Sunday April 20th, 2025 after he allegedly fled from police and was forced off the road.
Prior to the incident on Sunday, a warrant of arrest had been issued for Gautreau in relation to an incident that happened in Amherst on March 30th, 2025 shortly after 2:00am. Amherst Police had located an occupied parked vehicle in the industrial park and took measures to box the vehicle in using 3 police vehicles. The driver, who appeared to be sleeping awoke and rammed two police cars and was able to push the vehicles enough to escape, fleeing at a high rate of speed. One of the officers, who had approached the driver’s side windows, was able to identify the driver. The vehicle had been reported stolen from Dieppe NB on March 23, 2025. Gautreau is facing numerous charges from this incident that include:
- Section 320.13(1) CC – Dangerous Driving
- Section 320.17 CC – Fleeing Police
- Section 320.18(1)(a) CC – Driving While Prohibite
- Section 430(4) CC – Damage to Property over $5000
- Section 430(4) CC – Damage to Property over $5000
- Section 320.16(1) CC – Fail to Stop at Accident
- Section 267(a) CC – Assault with a Weapon x 2
- Section 129(a) CC – Resist Arrest
- Section 354(1)(a) CC – Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Exceeding $5000
Men Arrested and Charged with Break, Enter and Theft
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Amherst Police Department
Two men have been arrested and charged in relation to an early morning break and enter into a building in the Amherst Industrial Park.
Christopher Lee Glennie, aged 48 and Jason Edward Glennie, aged 52, both of River Hebert, NS have been charged with:
- Break and Enter
- Theft under $5000
At approximately 4:00am on Thursday April 10th, 2025, an Amherst Police Officer observed a vehicle in a parking lot of a local business that was closed. The vehicle was occupied by a lone male. The officer checked the occupant of the vehicle while other members attended and checked an adjacent property and located a second vehicle that was occupied by a lone male. The second vehicle had numerous items that had allegedly been taken from inside the building that it was parked behind. Both men were arrested and both vehicles were seized.
The matter is still under investigation by the Amherst Police Department and the accused parties were held in custody for a brief court appearance on April 10th, 2025. Both men were released by the courts and are scheduled to appear in court again on May 12th, 2025.
The Amherst Police Department often relies on assistance from the public in regards to matters that impact community safety and well-being. Anyone with information related to this or other incidents is asked to contact the Amherst Police Department at 667-8600 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
APD Media Contact:
Cpl. Tom Wood
902-667-8600
March 24, 2025 Amherst Town Council – Meeting Highlights
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During Monday night’s regular meeting of Amherst Town Council, a motion was passed approving a new Accessibility, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (AIDE) Strategic Plan. This new plan combines Amherst’s previous Accessibility Strategic Plan and the previous Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Strategic Plan into one new document, and is the result of diligent research and stakeholder input.
The former two separate plans were required to be updated, approved by Council, and forwarded to the Province by April 1, 2025, which led to the decision to produce the new combined AIDE plan.
Accessibility, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Committee (AIDE) Terms of Reference
Through the process of combining the Accessibility Strategic Plan and the Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Strategic Plan, it was learned that these same Town committees could also be combined, continuing to advise Council as before. As part of this process, the Poverty Reduction Advisory Committee was dissolved through a motion from Council. Old Terms of Reference were repealed and, on Monday night, new Terms of Reference for the AIDE Committee were approved by Council, thereby allowing for more collaboration amongst committee members and discussion on a broader range of topics for underserved and underrepresented groups.
Themed Crosswalks Policy
Through collaborative work with community allies, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, and the development of the new combined AIDE Strategic Plan, staff have proposed the addition of new themed crosswalks representing African Nova Scotians and Indigenous partnerships – to complement the existing three Veteran themed crosswalks and the Pride crosswalk. These new crosswalks and the Town’s new Themed Crosswalk Policy were all approved by Council.
Fireworks
Council approved a motion allocating $20,000 in the 2025/26 operating budget for fireworks – $10,000 for Canada Day fireworks to be held at the Robb Complex, and $10,000 for New Year’s Eve fireworks to be held at the Amherst Stadium.
New security measures in place at Amherst Stadium for Ramblers playoff games
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The Town of Amherst is thrilled that our Amherst Jr. A Ramblers will be proceeding to the divisional semi-finals for the Maritime Junior Hockey League. Many others are just as excited, so new security measures have been implemented to ensure a positive experience for all attending hockey games at the Amherst Stadium.
With game one of the semi-finals set for this Saturday, March 15, starting at 7 p.m. in Amherst, we want everyone to be familiar with these regulations as they prepare to attend live games:
- Doors open one hour before game time;
- No backpacks allowed in the facility;
- Smaller bags may be checked at the door;
- No external beverage cups allowed in the facility (Yetis, Stanleys, etc.);
- The north side stairwell will only be accessible in case of emergency (Stairwell beside the opposing team’s dressing room);
- Foul language will not be tolerated, subject to ejection from the facility.
Officer Suspension
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Amherst Police Department
Earlier today the Amherst Police Department was advised that formal charges had been laid against one of their members by the Cumberland RCMP.
Based upon those charges, the member was later served with a Notice of Allegations under the Police Act of Nova Scotia by the Amherst Police Department. Sergeant Christopher Jobe has been suspended indefinitely under Section 63 of the Police Act Regulations.
The Officer has not been on active duty or at work for the past several months.
At this time the Police Act investigation is suspended until the criminal matters are resolved.
Jobe is scheduled to appear in Amherst Provincial Court on April 14.
Direct enquiries to:
Sean Payne
Corporate Communications Officer
902-694-6265
Rob Small
Mayor
902-694-0014
February 24, 2025 Amherst Town Council – Meeting Highlights
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At Monday night’s regular meeting of Amherst Town Council, members voted to approve amendments to the pdf Sidewalk and Curb Construction Policy(1.90 MB) , including language updates to specify that any sidewalk construction projects moving forward will involve replacement of existing brick pavers with concrete, to improve accessibility. Language will also be added to the policy that will ensure the use of tactile warning indicator plates at crosswalks, to improve accessibility for the visually impaired.
This policy was reviewed by the Accessibility Advisory Committee who provided their recommendations for Council’s consideration.
Staff will prepare a long-range brick paver replacement plan and include brick paver replacements in future capital budgets for consideration.
Appointments of Members of Council to External Boards, Committees and Commissions Policy
Following the municipal election in October, Council completed a review of external Boards, Committees and Commissions to which they appoint members of Council. Amendments to Appendix A of the Appointment of Members of Council to External Boards, Committees and Commissions Policy were approved by Council on Monday night, to reflect the following appointments:
Cumberland Public Libraries Board: 1 Member appointed; Regional Emergency Management: 2 Members appointed; Northern Region Solid Waste: 1 Member appointed; Cumberland YMCA: 1 Member appointed; LA Animal Shelter: 1 Member appointed; Senior Safety Advisory Committee: 1 Member appointed; and, GFL Community Liaison Committee: 1 Member appointed.
The GFL Community Liaison Committee is a new addition to the list of member appointments, while members were not re-appointed to the Cornerstone Board of Directors or the Municipal Alcohol Project.
