Man to stand trial for store robbery while unlawfully at large

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A Saint John man intends to contest allegations he robbed a Moncton store while unlawfully at large from prison.

Dylan Nicholas McNamara, 25, was in the prisoner’s dock in Moncton provincial court on Wednesday on charges of robbing the Canadian Tire on Mountain Road on April 18 and resisting police. He elected trial by judge alone in the Court of King’s Bench with a preliminary inquiry.

The inquiry was set for June 21 and the presiding judge will determine if there’s sufficient evidence to order him to stand trial. He’s also expected to plead to the resisting police charge on that date.

McNamara waived his bail hearing because he is now back in prison for an earlier robbery conviction.

He said he plans to make an application to the court for state-funded counsel to defend him.

Saint John Police had sought the public’s help to find McNamara earlier this month, saying in a news release that a Canada-wide warrant was issued for his arrest on April 14. Police said McNamara was wanted for breaching the conditions of his statutory release from a federal prison sentence. They said he failed to return to the community correctional centre in Saint John as directed.

Saint John Police said McNamara is serving a three-year, eight-month sentence for robbery, disguising his face with intent to commit an offence, possessing property obtained by crime, possessing a weapon for dangerous purpose, uttering a threat, assaulting a peace officer and being unlawfully at large.

Police followed up that news release by reporting that McNamara was arrested in Moncton.