N.L. man reportedly trying to 'stop the election' facing 4 charges after arrest outside candidate's office

A man who police say led them on a high-speed chase in western Newfoundland is now facing four chargesafter Tuesday's arrest outside a Deer Lake electoral candidate's office.

George Brake, 66, of Shoal Brook, N.L., was charged Wednesday with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, dangerous operation of a vehicle and flight from a police officer.

The campaign team for Liberal Leader Andrew Furey said Tuesday evening that police suspected the man had intended to target Furey.

Brakereportedly said he was on his way to "stop the election," according to police.

Newfoundland and Labrador voters areheading to the polls on Feb. 13 after a provincial election was called earlier this month.

Man 'threatened to execute' politicians, RCMP says

The RCMP said Wednesday that the man was, in fact, arrested near a PC candidate's office, and that police had "serious concerns for public safety, including the safety of the sitting MHA for the area and political candidates."

Furey is the sitting MHA for the area, and is running in theHumber-Gros Mornedistrict.

RCMP Cpl. Jolene Garland said Wednesday that the force believes Brake was a "threat to cause death or serious injury," and that in the presence of police he "threatened to execute local politicians."

Police seized 36 hunting and tactical knives from Brake's truck, according to information provided by the RCMP at a news conference Wednesday afternoon.

One of those was allegedly wedged next to the driver's seat.

The RCMP said that at about 10a.m. Tuesday they received reports of a man "behaving erratically" in Bonne Bay, making political references and alluding to the use of firearms.

The force said its officers chased the man's truck to Deer Lake for about 10 minutes, before blocking him with patrol cars outside a building containing the PC candidate's office.

"The gentleman stopped at the local business in Deer Lake, and he was removed immediately from the vehicle by our officers," said Garland. Three officers were involved in the arrest, and discovered the knives on a search of his vehicle.

"They ranged in size, shape, style," Garland said, noting the largest of the knives had a blade of approximately eight-inches. "They were certainly capable ... of carrying out any serious threats."

Garland said Brakewas arrested within 30 minutes of the initial complaint made by a concerned resident.

Alleged targets irrelevant: Furey

Furey spoke with reporters Wednesday, calling the issue of Brake's alleged targets irrelevant, after his campaign team issued a release Tuesday evening saying police had warned them Fureyhad likely been earmarked.

The campaign office for the PC Party contradicted that statement, insteadconfirming to CBC News on Tuesday evening that police told them there was no intended target.

The RCMP's Garland said Wednesday that "all local politicians were considered part of the threat."

"If I wasn't the target and someone else was, my same degree of concern and empathy ... goes to them and to their family, because I just experienced it equally," Fureysaid. "Theissue of targeting is, I think, moot at this point."

Fureysaid he has not previously encountered threats during hispolitical career.

"It's the first time I've been, to my knowledge, the subject of an incident like this, or the likely subject of an incident like this," hesaid.

"And I have to tell you, it was troubling. It was disturbing for me, for my family and for the volunteers who work in my office."

• Here are the candidates running in the 2021 provincial election

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It's not clear whether anyone was in the candidate's office at the time, and Garland said she isn't privy to any information about the man's motivations.

However, anumber of posts containing right-wing conspiracy theories had been shared earlier this month bya Facebook account belonging to Brake. The posts also included pro-Donald Trump and anti-mask sentiments.

The RCMPsays they believe there are no threats to other politicians.

The force has shared information with the Department of Justice and the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, "as its mandate includes protection of those elected to public office."

Brake will remain in custody at least until hisbail hearing, scheduled for Thursday.

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