Chatty Newfoundland fugitive responds to police ‘wanted’ posting on Facebook

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — Newfoundland police got an unexpected response when they posted a “wanted” notice on their Facebook page — a conversation with what appeared to be a very chatty fugitive.

A man identifying himself as Brandon Melbourne told police he would turn himself in on five arrest warrants, and also responded to commenters who suggested he looked like the person caught on camera robbing a BMO Financial Group in St. John’s.

“B’ys oh b’ys, I look far from the BMO suspect — different glasses, bigger nose and no neck tattoo, but yet I’m ‘guilty’,” he said, chastising people for acting “like it’s the 70s and tattoos are a bad thing.”

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary had posted Saturday they had five outstanding warrants for Melbourne, 24, all unrelated to the BMO robbery the day before. But commenters soon suggested he looked like the person in the surveillance photo from a previous posting on the BMO robbery.

“I can understand your opinions it kinda do look a little like me,” he said, before insisting he wouldn’t rob even a chocolate bar, let alone a bank. He said the man who really robbed the bank is “having the laugh of his life.”

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The RNC responded: “In the meantime… we have five warrants we would like to discuss with you. Please get in touch Brandon.”

The man replied again, explaining why he missed court dates and promised to turn himself in at 9 p.m. Monday: “Take me for my word, I just got a few things to take care of busy day then I’ll be down.”

Replied the RNC: “Brandon, we appreciate you coming forward. Call us when you’re ready — we’ll pick you up.”

Other commenters joined the conversation, mischievously speculating about his motives.

Again, he responded: “I can turn myself in now but I’ll be sitting in a cell till tomorrow for court so I’d rather just turn myself in late so I can go right to bed.”

Other commenters offered their judgment as to Melbourne’s involvement in the armed robbery, discussed whether he looked like the robber in the photo, and in a few cases wished Melbourne well.

“Good luck man, forget what everyone else says,” said one commenter. 

“I’m getting a great laugh out of all this,” said another.

RNC Const. Geoff Higdon told The Canadian Press that he posted the wanted notice for Melbourne about 24 hours after the BMO robbery, but Melbourne was not identified as a suspect. People can draw their own conclusions about how much Melbourne looks like the man in the photo, he said.

“You’re welcome to make any inferences that you want,” Higdon said. “He’s wanted on five different files.”

— By Rob Roberts in Halifax

The Canadian Press