FALL RIVER: Convicted drug dealer and well-known crime figure Jimmy Melvin Jr., can add kidnapping, extortion and threatening a man at gunpoint to his lengthy list of criminal offences following an altercation Feb. 10.
Besides Melvin Jr., of Fall River, three other people are also charged relating to the incident that spanned two communities within the Halifax Regional Municipality, Dartmouth and Spryfield.
At 8:20 p.m. Halifax Regional Police (HRP) responded to an assault report from a residence in Dartmouth’s Highfield Park. Upon arrival, three male suspects fled the scene, one who crossed Highway 11 towards the Burnside Industrial Park. Officers caught up to the suspect; however the other two remained free for a short time.
EHS paramedics transported the male victim to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
After a further investigation into the matter, Halifax RCMP/ HRP Integrated General Investigative section learned the victim had been picked up by the suspect earlier in the day and then driven to Spryfield.
Officers said the suspect retrieved a gun at the location and then picked up a woman, who took over driving the vehicle.
The car then became involved in a minor collision as it returned to Highfield Park. At this time, the victim ran away from the car.
However, a short time later, the victim went to an apartment in Highfield Park, where police say three people assaulted him, before taking him outside and threatening his life.
The man managed to escape yet again, before the men caught up to him and allegedly assaulted him, which is when police were notified.
Melvin Jr., has been previously convicted of dealing drugs and was released Jan. 15, from custody on other charges. He is facing charges of kidnapping, assault with a weapon, extortion, threats, several weapons-related charges and breaching previous release conditions stemming from the incident.
However, it doesn’t end there. He is said to have been allegedly involved in an incident with police officers as he was in custody. For this, he faces additional charges of uttering threats, breach of recognizance and three counts of assaulting police.
A woman, Natalie Catherine Digioacchino, of Harrietsfield, faces charges of kidnapping and extortion.
Melvin Jr. and Digioacchino, 28, were to appear in Dartmouth provincial court on Feb. 12.
The remaining two suspects, who haven’t had their identity released by police, turned themselves in Feb. 11, at 11:40 p.m.
A police spokesperson said they haven’t decided what charges will be laid against those suspects and their investigation is continuing.