An arrest warrant has been issued for a Yellowknife man who failed to appear in territorial court.
Christopher Rumbolt, 47, was due to be sentenced Thursday after pleading guilty to one count of possessing a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking on March 29.
By entering a guilty plea in March, Rumbolt accepted the allegations outlined in the charge – that he possessed cocaine in Yellowknife with the intent of selling the illegal drug.
He was released on a recognizance in October of last year.
Defence lawyer Charles Davison told Judge Bernadette Schmaltz his attempts to reach his client had proved unsuccessful.
Manhunt for accused gun thief stretches into Alberta
After urging territory residents with information related to the whereabouts of accused gun thief Beau Desire-Tesar to come forward to police, NWT RCMP say they're now following up on all leads and tips from Albertans.
Desire-Tesar, 31, faces numerous charges in connection with the Thanksgiving weekend break-in and theft of firearms, ammunition and other valuables from a Rivett Crescent home.
Asked whether the wanted Yellowknife man is still thought to be in NWT – a belief held by Mounties early on in the investigation – spokesperson Marie York-Condon told Yellowknifer his “exact location is not known at this time.”
“Our partner agencies in Alberta have been advised of Desire-Tesar's warrants,” stated York-Condon in an email Thursday.
Twenty-three-year-old Toufic Chamas, a suspect in the same firearms theft, has been charged and remains in custody.
Following the Oct. 7 break-in, RCMP said they had arrested an individual in connection with the “targeted” theft. That individual, stated York-Condon, has been released by RCMP.
“If and when charges are officially laid,” the individual's name will be released, added York-Condon.
RCMP say NWT residents have been helping throughout the investigation, providing tips that are being pursued by Mounties.
Just a week after the Thanksgiving break-in, firearms were stolen from a Haener Drive garage on Oct.16. Citing the ongoing nature of both investigations, York-Condon wouldn't speak on whether or not police believe the two break-ins are connected.
Early morning vehicle fire investigated as arson
A "suspicious" vehicle fire that broke out early Thursday morning is being investigated as arson, say Yellowknife RCMP.
Mounties responded to a report of a vehicle on fire on the 800-block of the city's Bigelow Crescent, stated a news release issued Thursday.
Responding officers located an "extensively" damaged white Ford Edge SUV. Nearby, police say, another vehicle was damaged "due to the proximity of the fire."
There were no reports of injuries and RCMP are continuing to probe the blaze.
Anyone with information about this fire is asked to contact Yellowknife RCMP at 867-669-1111 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, nwtnutips.com, (click on "submit a web tip") or text: nwtnutips to 274637. If you provide information that leads to an arrest, you could be eligible for a cash reward.
Man charged in firearms theft appears in court
A Yellowknife man facing a slew of charges in connection with the Thanksgiving weekend theft of firearms and ammunition from a city home made a brief court appearance Wednesday.
Twenty-three-year-old Toufic Chamas, sitting in a prisoner’s booth, listened as Justice of the Peace Adelle Guigon outlined more than a dozen charges leveled against him.
Chamas was arrested on Oct. 19 after RCMP seized a handgun and ammunition from his vehicle during a traffic stop, stated an RCMP news release Monday.
The gun, police stated, was stolen from Rivett Crescent home during a break-in between Oct. 7 and Oct. 8. Ammunition and jewelry were also stolen from the residence.
In addition to the seized handgun, Mounties say they've recovered "some of the stolen firearms," through search warrants executed in an apartment complex, a storage unit and two vehicles.
RCMP continue to search for Beau Desire-Tesar, a 31-year-old Yellowknife man charged early on in connection with the same break-in.
Chamas faces seven gun charges in relation to the break-in and theft.
Chamas was convicted on Oct. 12 for flying a drone dangerously in Yellowknife in September 2017.
On Oct. 25, he was sentenced to time served plus a $3,000 fine for the offence - the first drone conviction in Canada.
Chamas, who remains in custody, will be back in court on Oct. 31 for a show cause hearing in relation to the fresh firearm charges.