RCMP are looking into 35 assaults from last week (File photo/battlefordsNOW.com).

By Ian Roach

BEAR SPRAY AND UNLAWFUL CONFINEMENT

Battlefords RCMP report 35 assaults over the last week

Oct 5, 2022 | 1:25 PM

CORRECTION: This story has been updated to clarify that the 911 call was traced back to a home north of Cochin. The original version of the story indicated the call was traced back to a home in Cochin.

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Battlefords RCMP report they’re investigating 35 assaults that occurred over the last week. One of the assaults involved a woman being unlawfully confined, and in another, a man was bear sprayed in the face during a robbery attempt.

At 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 1, police say they received a 911 call reporting an assault. The 911 call was cut short, but police were able to trace it back to a home north of Cochin. When police arrived, they located the female victim. The suspect fled before their arrival.

Battlefords RCMP Sgt. Neil Tremblay said it is believed the woman was held against her will.

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“He had assaulted her over a period of time, and she had been trying to leave. [She] was alleging he was not allowing her to leave.”

Tremblay added the victim’s injuries did not require medical attention. It is believed the assault started in the early morning hours of the same day.

The accused was located later in the day at another residence and arrested without incident. A 42-year-old man is charged with assault and forcible confinement. He’ll be back in court on Oct. 20.

In a separate incident, a man was bear sprayed in the face during an attempted robbery in North Battleford. This incident happened around 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 3. Police said the victim was sitting in his car outside his home on the 1300 block of 95 Street, where he was approached by three men. When he rolled down the window to try and figure out what they wanted, he was bear sprayed in the face. The victim was able to roll the window back up, and the three men fled in a white Ford F-150 truck. Police believe the truck may have been stolen.

Tremblay said incidents like this are concerning and people should use caution if something like this happens to them.

“If you don’t know who they are, especially if they’re making certain demands of you, keep your doors locked. Don’t roll down your windows. And if you’re in a position where you can drive away, try and do that. But certainly, at least keep the windows closed.”

The victim was treated at the scene for his injuries, and the robbery attempt was not successful. Police continue to investigate.

RCMP are looking into thirty-five assaults that occurred between Sept. 28 and Oct. 4. While that is an increase in the number of assaults from the previous week, police say it is still too early to call it an upward trend. Overall, it appears assaults for September are down compared to the previous year.

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ian.roach@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @IanRoachSK