Man arrested in Eskasoni faces firearms charges

RCMP have charged a man with firearms offences after an incident in Eskasoni last week.

Dawson Alexander Bernard, 23, of We’koqma’q, has been charged with assault, forcible entry, careless use of a firearm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, carrying a concealed weapon, unauthorized possession of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon or restricted weapon, possession of a firearm while knowing possession is unauthorized, possession of a prohibited weapon knowing its possession is unauthorized, violating a firearms prohibition and two counts of breaching release conditions.

RCMP received a report of a disturbance at a home on Canal Drive in Eskasoni at about 10:20 p.m. on March 21.

Police learned that a man involved in an altercation with a woman had left the home with a firearm in a black backpack.

Officers quickly located the man at another home on Canal Drive and safely arrested him.

With assistance from the Cape Breton Regional Police Service canine unit, the backpack, firearm and ammunition were located in woods near John Pauls Lane, RCMP said.

As the investigation progressed, RCMP officers determined the man had allegedly assaulted the woman.

Bernard was held in custody and was expected to appear in Sydney provincial court Friday.