Nova Scotia RCMP say an 18-year-old man is facing a slew of charges after allegedly arriving masked and armed with a loaded rifle at his former partner’s workplace in Eastern Passage.

Police say officers were called around 8:40 p.m. on Tuesday after a man allegedly arrived outside a restaurant on Cow Bay Road wearing a mask.

RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Mandy Edwards says the man had been in a relationship with one of the restaurant’s employees.

“Of course, it’s concerning when someone is masked and just appears to be standing outside,” Edwards said in a phone interview Thursday.

Edwards said the Halifax Regional Police canine unit arrived on scene swiftly and found the man, who was also wearing gloves and had what appeared to be a firearm concealed in his pants.

He allegedly attempted to flee but was arrested by the canine unit. Officers seized a loaded rifle, ammunition and a prohibited magazine.

“I think it’s pretty explanatory when we locate a person who was in possession of a loaded rifle and ammunition and wearing a mask, all of those things together are concerning, especially when we’re dealing with intimate partner violence,” said Edwards.

A search warrant was then executed at a home on Romkey Drive, where officers seized a loaded handgun with a prohibited magazine, two long guns, ammunition, two RCMP uniform patches and body armour.

The 18-year-old is facing more than 50 charges in relation to the incident, including multiple counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, carrying a concealed weapon, criminal harassment and disguise with intent.

Man previously charged with assault, break and enter

RCMP say he is also facing additional charges related to alleged incidents involving the same victim in December and January.

Edwards said police determined Tuesday’s incident was a case of potential intimate partner violence based on the previous charges.

According to the Public Prosecution Service, the man is facing charges including assault, assault with a weapon, break and enter with intent and criminal harassment in relation to alleged incidents between Dec. 1 and Dec. 31, 2025.

He’s also facing an assault charge in relation to an alleged choking, suffocation or strangling incident on Jan. 11.

Edwards said the incidents are extremely concerning.

“I just don’t even want to think about the possibilities of what could have happened,” she said.

“But luckily things turned out well and that we were able to respond quickly and he was able to be apprehended.”

The accused is in custody and is scheduled to appear in Dartmouth provincial court on April 23.

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