RCMP charge Halifax man with fleeing police, leaving sleeping son in car

A 31-year-old Halifax man is facing charges including fleeing police and leaving his sleeping son in the car.

RCMP say they stopped a 2002 Nissan Altima on Raymond Drive in Lower Sackville after 8 p.m. Monday. Police determined the driver did not have a valid driver’s licence and the car was not registered.

As the officer continued to check the vehicle, the driver left the scene and entered a nearby home. Police say he went through the home’s back door and fled the area.

Police say the man’s five-year-old son was sleeping in the back seat of the car as the incident unfolded.

“When you’re pulled over by police and have your child in the vehicle with you and to take off in that manner and leave the child there, yes that’s disturbing that someone would go and do such a thing,” said Cpl. Dal Hutchinson, an RCMP spokesperson.

Hutchinson said the child was unharmed.

The man was found by police with assistance from Halifax Regional Police’s K-9 Unit and was charged with operating a motor vehicle with a revoked licence, operating an unregistered vehicle, displaying a cancelled number plate, and no liability insurance. He is also facing charges of unlawfully being in a dwelling house, and obstructing a peace officer.

RCMP say further charges could be laid.

The suspect has been released on a promise to appear in Dartmouth Provincial Court on Oct. 18.