Two men are facing charges after a stolen vehicle was allegedly used in a home invasion in Sussex, N.B., last month.
The RCMP responded to the home on Oxford Street around 4:30 a.m. on Dec. 28, 2024.
Police say two people entered the home, pointed a firearm at a resident and demanded he hand over his wallet and phone.
The people fled the scene in a white vehicle before officers arrived, according to an RCMP news release.
Police determined the vehicle had been stolen and was also used in a theft at a business earlier that day.
Officers patrolled the area and located the vehicle. As they approached with their emergency lights activated, police say the driver fled the scene.
The driver then lost control of the vehicle, which left the road and ended up in a ditch on Parlee Brook Road in Waterford, N.B.
Police found five people at the scene and arrested them without incident.
Investigators searched the stolen vehicle and seized several items the RCMP says were stolen from the home and business. Police also allegedly seized the following items:
-Taser
-homemade shotgun
-bear spray
-ammunition
-air pistol
-knives
-face masks
A 35-year-old man from Saint John, N.B., appeared in Saint John provincial court on Dec. 30, 2024. Kieren Lopez is facing the following charges:
-resisting or obstructing a police officer
-flight from police
-unauthorized possession of a firearm
Lopez was remanded into custody. He appeared in court again on Jan. 23 but did not enter a plea. He was again remanded into custody until his next court appearance on Feb. 6.
A 36-year-old Sussex man also appeared in Saint John court on Dec. 30, 2024. Steven Asselstine is facing the following charges:
-failure to comply with a release order
-possession of a weapon contrary to an order
-being unlawfully in a dwelling house
-possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
-robbery with a firearm
-careless use of a firearm
-theft over $5,000
Asselstine was remanded into custody. He reappeared in Saint John court on Jan. 22 but didn’t enter a plea. He was remanded into custody and was due back in court on Monday.
A 33-year-old woman from New Line, N.B., a 36-year-old man from Saint John and a 39-year-old woman from Saint John were also arrested in connection with the investigation.
The New Line woman was later released.
The 36-year-old Saint John man is due to appear in Saint John provincial court at a later date to face charges related to the incident.
The 39-year-old Saint John woman was held in custody on an unrelated matter and is also due in court at a later date to face charges.
Police say the investigation is ongoing.
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