Two men charged in home invasions
The RNC has arrested and charged two men in connection with two violent home invasions that occurred in St. John’s on Monday evening, Sept. 12, during which one victim suffered serious injuries from being stabbed.
Other victims also required medical treatment.
Jonathon Hurley, 32, and Justin Haynes, 31, were arrested without incident overnight Tuesday by the RNC.
A possible third suspect is being sought.
Both accused appeared in provincial court in St. John’s Wednesday on a long list of charges, including aggravated assault and break and enter/ home invasion.
Hurley faces 11 charges in total — two counts of break and enter into homes on Beaumont Street and Maunders Lane; two counts of robbery; one count of aggravated assault; one count of assault with a weapon; three counts of assault; and two counts of uttering threats.
Haynes faces 21 charges in total — two counts of break and enter into homes on Beaumont Street and Maunders Lane; two counts of robbery; one count of aggravated assault; four counts of assault; two counts of uttering threats; two counts of fraud; two counts of possession of stolen property; and six counts of breaching conditions of a previous court release order.
Haynes and Hurley appeared individually in court, where Judge Lois Skanes read aloud their long lists of charges.
Prosecutor Jennifer Colford indicated the Crown was opposed to releasing either of the men, who will remain in custody to await their next court appearances by video on Sept. 28 and 29 respectively.
Haynes is also scheduled for court Oct. 5 on 10 unrelated charges, including three assaults and seven court order breaches.
Hurley is also known to the court, with a criminal record that includes convictions in 2018 for a New Year’s Eve armed robbery at a Mount Pearl Shoppers Drug Mart two years earlier. Hurley and others were given federal jail sentences for the hold-up, in which two masked men held a knife to a pharmacist and took off with cash and thousands of prescription pills.
Flanked by two sheriffs, Haynes was silent in the prisoner’s dock Wednesday, keeping his eyes to the floor except to glance up at the judge as he was formally charged.
Hurley entered the courtroom with sheriffs and gave reporters two middle fingers.
“Holy f---, enough cameras or what? Put this on the f---ing news,” he said.
As Skanes read his charges, Hurley interrupted to ask for clarification several times. At one point he interjected to say, “Allegedly.”
“All these are allegations,” the judge replied.
RNC media relations and public communications officer Const. James Cadigan said the RNC’S response to the pair of home invasions on Monday evening that rattled the community included the assembling of a major case management team with the sole focus of investigating the incidents.
“I’d like to recognize the officers of the RNC who were engaged in this investigation,” Cadigan said.
“The absolute commitment of these officers in this effort from patrol services, specialized services and investigative units within the criminal investigation division truly exemplifies the professionalism and teamwork it requires to achieve success in an investigation of this nature.
The RNC could not be more proud of your tireless service to our community.
“Secondly, the RNC is overwhelmed with gratitude for the support of our community in this effort to hold these violent crimes to account.
“Sincerely, thank you, for sending a strong message that this activity has no place in our communities.”
Cadigan did not provide an update on the condition of the stabbing victim.
Cadigan also said investigators continue to seek any video or witness information related to the home invastions.
“This investigation is ongoing, with investigative tasks in progress as we speak,” Cadigan said.
“Investigations are complex and involve a broad range of investigative services.
“Judicial authorizations, interviews, forensics, canvassing and video collection and review are just a portion of the tasks at play, along with mobilization of RNC specialized services.”