Two brothers facing slew of gun charges
It was like a scene straight out of a violent video game.
Neil Tutty called Halifax Regional Police at 3:38 a.m. on Jan 21 to report a robbery in progress at his home on Langbrae Drive in Clayton Park.
“Neil was woken up by Jeremy Coleman and Stephen Coleman standing over him wearing balaclavas demanding money,” Const. Bradley Taylor said in a search warrant application.
Tutty knew the brothers as they’d been staying with him, “off and on,” said the investigator.
Tutty thought they’d come in through his patio door, which he left open for the brothers.
“Jeremy and Stephen accused Neil of stealing their guns and began punching and kicking him in the head and face,” Taylor said in information to obtain a warrant filed at Halifax provincial court.
‘TAKING HIS PLAYSTATION’
“Jeremy then informed Neil that Neil owed him $300, and that he would be taking his Playstation 5 – approximate value of $1,000 – as payment.”
The police quick response unit started checking hotels and motels in the Halifax area “looking for both Jeremy Coleman and Stephen Coleman, as both currently had valid warrants of arrest,” Taylor said.
Two constables walked into the Chateau Bedford on Kearney Lake Road on Jan. 23, looking for the brothers.
“Officers located Jeremy Coleman in the lobby of the building,” said the investigator, noting they arrested him as he was returning to his room.
‘ATTEMPTED TO HIDE’
One police officer knocked on Jeremy Coleman’s motel room door, Taylor said.
“Stephen Coleman opened it, and then attempted to hide. The unit was quickly surrounded by police and eventually Stephen Coleman exited and was arrested.”
While leaving the motel room, Stephen Coleman left the door open.
“Officers were able to observe in plain view a Playstation 5 video game console sitting on the floor.”
Police put a guard on the door, while Taylor convinced a justice of the peace to grant a search warrant.
One sergeant spoke with hotel staff, “who were understanding of the police presence, but asked that the matter be resolved as quickly as possible (so as) not to disturb the remainder of the guests at the busy hotel,” said the investigator.
MAGNUM REVOLVER SEIZED
When they searched the motel room, police seized the Playstation 5, a game, some controllers for the console with their twin charging station, fifteen .44-calibre bullets, five 12-gauge shotgun shells, a wallet that did not belong to either brother, a copy of a Dodge Ram vehicle permit and a .44 Magnum revolver.
Neither brother appears to have been charged for assaulting or robbing Tutty.
But Jeremy Coleman, 31, and Stephen Coleman, 35, are both facing multiple gun charges including four counts of possession of a firearm while prohibited, possession of weapon obtained by commission of offence, possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition, possession of firearm knowing possession is unauthorized, possession of weapon for a dangerous purpose, contravening gun storage regulations, and careless use of a firearm.
The offence date on all those charges is Jan. 23.
Stephen Coleman is facing a charge for breaching his probation and his brother Jeremy has one for failing to attend court.
Jeremy Coleman is also facing charges including besetting or watching the dwelling house or the place a person resides, works, carries on business or happens to be, break and enter with intent and mischief. Those charges have an offence date of Jan. 18.
Jeremy Coleman was released from custody on March 21, on the promise that he would stay away from weapons, reside at a home on Chadwick Place when he’s not working for a drywall company, and not contact his brother, Stephen. His release order says Jeremy Coleman must also stay away from booze and drugs, an address on Washmill Lake Drive, and the home, school and workplace of a woman named in the order.
Stephen Coleman is currently behind bars.
The brothers are due back in Halifax provincial court April 15 for election and/or plea.
NO STRANGERS TO THE COURTS
Judges have sentenced Jeremy Coleman on 25 charges between 2010 and this year including dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, break and enter, mischief, resisting arrest, assault, breaching court orders, theft, firearm offences, drug possession, and fleeing police.
Judges have sentenced Stephen Coleman on 39 charges between 2007 and 2023 for offences including obstructing a peace officer, breaching court orders, mischief, uttering threats, break and enter, theft, criminal harassment, impaired driving, possession for purpose of trafficking, firearm offences, escaping custody, and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.
Lest you feel bad for Tutty, the 43-year-old who told police his video game console was stolen in a violent robbery, judges have sentenced him on more than 100 charges between 1999 and 2023 for offences including break and enter, theft, assault, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, breaching court orders, fraud, resisting a peace officer, uttering threats, criminal harassment, publishing or distributing intimate image without consent, and mischief. Seven of those matters from last year are under appeal.