Nova Scotia man charged after 2 collisions, 1 involving stolen car

A Pictou County man faces charges after two collisions on Oct. 30 in Stellarton and Bible Hill, one involving a stolen car, according to Nova Scotia RCMP. Police said three passengers were arrested at the first collision and will face charges related to obstructing an investigation.

At about 1:25 p.m., an officer on traffic patrol saw a red Hyundai Elantra without a licence plate travel the wrong way through a traffic circle on Lawrence Boulevard in Stellarton, police said.

The RCMP said the driver did not stop when the officer tried to pull the car over. The Elantra continued west and struck a vehicle stopped at MacGregor Avenue. The driver ran away, and officers learned that a black Honda Civic had been stolen from a nearby parking lot.

Police said they identified the driver and learned he was wanted on a province-wide warrant connected to an Oct. 25 robbery in Abercrombie.

At about 3:20 p.m., officers responded to a report of a head-on collision between the Civic and a transport van on Pictou Road in Bible Hill. The driver had left on foot before first responders arrived. Police later arrested him at a residence in the 200-block of Pictou Road.

Charges and investigation

Steven Michael Lawrence, 33, of Pictou County, first appeared in court on Nov. 2. He is charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, robbery, flight from a peace officer and three counts of failing to comply with a release order.

Police said those charges are in addition to three connected to the warrant: robbery with a firearm, motor vehicle theft and failure to comply with an undertaking. He remains in custody pending future court appearances. The three passengers were released pending future court appearances.

Police said searches of the vehicles Lawrence operated turned up two unattached licence plates, several knives, cannabis products and two bottles containing a powder believed to be cocaine. The substance will be tested to confirm what it is.

Anyone with information who has not spoken with police is asked to contact the Pictou County or Colchester County District RCMP. The file numbers are 2026-1600397 and 2026-1601179.