Community Safety Alert: Wanted Man Arrested in South Williamston Search

Section 1: The Alert

A 33-year-old man who was the subject of a province-wide warrant in Nova Scotia has been taken into custody following a late-night search in South Williamston. The incident began on the night of July 3, 2026, when Annapolis District RCMP responded to a complaint about an unwelcome man at a residence on Hwy. 201.

Before officers arrived, the man left the residence and ran into a nearby wooded area. During the ensuing search, police reported hearing several sounds believed to be gunshots coming from within the woods. No injuries were reported, but the situation prompted a large police response and the deployment of specialized resources to safely locate and arrest the wanted individual.

Section 2: Official Details

According to the RCMP, the response escalated after officers heard what they believed were four gunshots coming from the wooded area where the man had fled. Additional units and specialized teams were brought in to assist with containment and search efforts, including:

• RCMP Police Dog Services (PDS)
• Emergency Response Team (ERT)
• Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) operators
• Members from Kings District RCMP

Using RPAS technology, officers identified a heat source concealed in thick brush. PDS and ERT members then moved in on that location and found the man hiding in the woods. During the arrest, the man resisted and was bitten by a police service dog. He was taken to hospital for assessment, treated for non-life-threatening injuries, medically cleared, and then remanded into custody.

The accused is identified by police as Jeffery Allan Stoddart, 33, of Moncton. In addition to an existing charge, he is now facing further allegations linked to his conduct and court-ordered conditions. The current known charges include:

• Failing to Comply with a Release Order (pre-existing charge)
• Additional counts of Failing to Comply with Conditions
• Obstructing a Peace Officer

Police state that Stoddart was already wanted on a province-wide warrant prior to this incident. He has been scheduled to appear in Digby Provincial Court on July 6, 2026. The RCMP indicate that the investigation remains active, and further steps may follow as they review all aspects of the event, including the reported gunshots and the response in the wooded area near Hwy. 201.

While this incident occurred in Nova Scotia, similar rural and semi-rural communities across Atlantic Canada face comparable challenges related to offenders breaching release conditions and evading police. CrimeCanada.ca maintains detailed community safety data for regions such as the Chipman area crime statistics and safety profile to help residents understand broader risk patterns and stay informed about law enforcement trends.

Section 3: CrimeCanada.ca Safety Perspective

From the perspective of CrimeCanada.ca, this case underscores how quickly a call about an unwelcome person can escalate into a complex police operation when a wanted individual attempts to flee and hide, particularly in wooded or rural terrain. Although no one was physically injured by gunfire in this incident, the presence of suspected shots and the need for tactical resources demonstrate the potential risks to both residents and responding officers.

For communities across Nova Scotia, including smaller areas similar in profile to places like Prince William-area crime and safety statistics, the key safety takeaway is vigilance and early reporting. If you encounter someone on your property who refuses to leave, or you observe suspicious activity in remote areas, contact police immediately rather than confronting the person yourself. Provide clear details about location, direction of travel, and any behaviour that concerns you. Timely, accurate information helps police contain situations quickly and reduces the chance of escalation. Our mission at CrimeCanada.ca is to turn official incident data into practical community awareness so residents can make informed decisions that prioritize their safety and support effective policing.

Note from RCMP: Police have requested that any previously shared images or posts identifying this individual as wanted be updated or removed, as he is now in custody and no longer the subject of an active warrant.

RCMP File Numbers: 2026-830939; 2026-933313

Official Source & Community Safety

This safety alert is based on an official release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). CrimeCanada.ca aggregates and analyzes this data to keep the nova-scotia community informed, aware, and safe. We are an independent safety data aggregator and not the original creators of the underlying incident report.

Read the full official release here: RCMP Official Statement.