Police presence in Moncton neighbourhood tied to man’s disappearance: N.B. RCMP

The New Brunswick RCMP’s major crime unit is investigating the disappearance of a 28-year-old man.

A heavy police presence on Henry Street in Moncton, N.B., this week is connected to the suspicious disappearance of a 28-year-old man.

Residents in the area told CTV News Atlantic on Wednesday that police had been on the street since Monday, but the RCMP wouldn’t provide any details about the ongoing operation.

Police released an update Thursday, confirming officers executed search warrants at two homes on Henry Street from Monday to Wednesday, in connection with the disappearance of Harley Snellemen.

Investigators remained on Henry Street Thursday and were seen canvassing the neighbourhood.

Snellemen was last seen near St. Georges and Dominion streets the afternoon of May 27. He was reported missing to police that day.

The RCMP said Thursday they are now treating the Moncton man’s disappearance as suspicious, and the Major Crime Unit has taken over the investigation.

Snelleman is described as roughly six-foot-one and 175 pounds. He has blue eyes, ginger hair, and a scar on the left side of his chin.

A clothing description is not available.

Investigators are asking anyone with information to contact the New Brunswick RCMP at 1-888-506-RCMP (7267).

Police had asked neighbours about missing man

Residents told CTV News Atlantic on Wednesday that police had canvassed the neighbourhood on Tuesday, looking for information about a missing man.

“And they showed pictures and asked if I had seen him,” said Claudette Bourgeois, who first noticed police vehicles on her street Monday afternoon.

Other neighbours also told CTV News Atlantic detectives had asked them about a missing man.

One woman, who didn’t want to give her name, said she was relieved police were investigating inside the home.

“Something is happening there. We’re hoping that this won’t go on,” she said. “They [the police] come too often and it’s been years, at least three, maybe four.”

Two RCMP SUVs, unmarked vehicles, and a digital forensics team were all on scene Wednesday.

The investigation was briefly put on hold around 12:20 p.m., when the Moncton Fire Department responded to a call of smoke in the attic of the home where the police were.

Members of the RCMP left the building while several firefighters went inside.

After around five or six minutes, the firefighters left the building and the investigation continued.

For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.