A 32-year-old man from Grafton, N.B., has been sentenced to seven years in prison following a series of incidents in the Woodstock and surrounding areas.
Matthew Jacob Johnston appeared in Woodstock Provincial Court on March 23, 2022, and was sentenced to seven years in prison for discharging a firearm while being reckless, arson and possession of a firearm while prohibited.
The charges stem from several incidents that occurred between January and October 2020 in the Jacksonville, Florenceville and Woodstock areas.
On October 15, 2020, police executed a search warrant at a residence in Newburg in connection with a series of thefts. A significant number of stolen items were recovered from the home, including three all-terrain vehicles, a pickup truck, multiple generators, and ammunition.
On October 18, 2020, police responded to the scene of an arson where several vehicles were burned outside a residence in Woodstock. The following day, police attended a home in Jacksonville after receiving a call for shots fired towards a residence. Nobody was injured during both incidents.
Members of the RCMP Forensic Identification Services assisted with the investigation and were able to identify Matthew Jacob Johnston as a person of interest. He was subsequently arrested by members of the New Brunswick RCMP's Emergency Response Team on October 22, 2020, in Fredericton.
"These incidents had a deep impact on our communities and their sense of security," says Sgt. Brendan Flewelling with the Western Valley Region RCMP. "Through diligent police work, we were able to find the person responsible and bring him to justice, as well as return thousands of dollars of stolen property to their rightful owners."
The public plays an important role in helping to reduce, prevent and solve crime in their communities. Anyone with information about, or who suspects, illegal activity in their neighbourhood, is asked to contact their local police. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), by downloading the secure P3 Mobile App, or by Secure Web Tips at www.crimenb.ca.