PUBLIC SERVICE ADVISORY
Hospital patient steals vehicle from hospital staffer: police
Friday, Oct. 2, 2026
Bridgewater Police Service alleges a South Shore Regional Hospital staffer’s compact sedan was stolen by a patient from the same hospital. The missing vehicle was later found outside of town destroyed by fire.
Authorities believe a 27-year-old man swiped a set of car keys at the switchboard area, exited the Bridgewater hospital, located a 2025 Volkswagen Jetta in the parking lot and drove away.
Investigators obtained documentary and photographic evidence in order to identify the patient. The staff member and patient did not know each other.
Hours later, Lunenburg District RCMP and fire services responded to a report of a burned-out Jetta in Hebbville. Investigators obtained a description of a person observed walking away from the car when smoke began showing. Further investigation determined that the burnt car was the vehicle reported stolen from the lot at the Bridgewater Hospital.
While the incident occurred August 19, a suspect was only located and arrested without incident Sunday, Sept. 27 in Bridgewater.
Bridgewater Police Service charged Jacob Troy Veinotte of Martins River with one count of motor vehicle theft. He is also charged with one count of arson related to the associated Lunenburg District RCMP investigation. He is remanded in custody pending his next appearance in Bridgewater Provincial Court, slated for Oct. 5.
Bridgewater Police Service thanks Lunenburg District RCMP for its help with the investigation.
The investigation is ongoing.
File: 2026-1208404 (Bridgewater Police Service)
File: 2026-1207473 (Lunenburg District RCMP)
