Danny MacPhee, deputy chief of the Bridgewater Police Service, answers questions about the manhunt for Tobias Doucette on July 27, 2020. Photo: Town of Bridgewater
The deputy chief of the Bridgewater Police Service says they were pleased to end the manhunt for an attempted murder suspect peacefully.
Tobias Doucette was arrested Saturday night after being on the run since July 20, when police allege he stabbed an officer in the neck and assaulted his common-law partner.
Deputy Chief Danny MacPhee credited the collaborative effort between police forces for the successful arrest of Doucette.
“Our efforts and the RCMP’s ultimately led to the peaceful capture of Doucette on Saturday night which was always our goal,” said MacPhee during a news conference Monday.
The RCMP National Emergency Response Team was on the trail Saturday night and requested the Nova Scotia RCMP ERT as well as RCMP Air Services from Moncton. As these added resources headed to the area, ERT maintained a constant track on the suspect. At around 12:30 a.m. Sunday, RCMP Air Services spotted a heat signature in the same area as the ERT track.
Despite rumours and tips that suggested Doucette may have left Lunenburg County, MacPhee does not believe he breached their perimeter at any time during the manhunt.
“We received many tips from the community and we followed up on each of them with the utmost diligence,” MacPhee said.
When asked about where he believes Doucette stayed, MacPhee said they have received a statement from Doucette concerning that, but until the investigation is complete he could not share that information with the public.
David Mitchell, the mayor of Bridgewater, praised the work of police during Monday’s news conference.
“We have a great police force, add that to all the other resources that were around, the planes, helicopters, and canines so everyone was aware, but people still went about their days but with caution,” said Mitchell.
Doucette appeared in court Monday morning for the first time since his arrest and faces an initial list of charges including attempted murder, aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, assault, injuring a law enforcement animal, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, mischief under $5,000, and theft of a motor vehicle.
He will remain in custody until Thursday when he is set to make his next court appearance.
With files from Evan Taylor.
