The Airdrie RCMP arrested a man from Innisfail for abducting a woman and assaulting a police officer on March 28.
At about 4 p.m., the Airdrie RCMP received a phone call from CrossIron Mills mall security saying that a woman had passed a note to a good Samaritan asking her to call 911 because she had been abducted and assaulted.
The person took the note to mall security, which then contacted the police, located the victim and the suspect and secured their location.
On duty, plain clothes RCMP officers were nearby when the call was received and, upon their arrival, one of the officers spoke to the victim and identified herself as a police officer. The suspect immediately became angry and assaulted the victim in front of the police officers.
The officers attempted to arrest the suspect who resisted and fought with police. After a concerted effort, the officers were able to control the suspect and handcuff him.
“Investigation by the Airdrie RCMP, with assistance form Calgary RCMP Major Crimes Section, determined that the victim and the male had been involved in a domestic relationship, however, the victim had recently separated from the accused because of previous abusive behaviour,” said Insp. Tony Hamori the Officer in Charge of Airdrie Detachment.
“The victim reported an incident on March 15 where the accused was arrested and released on strict conditions. The accused violated these conditions, and attended the victim’s residence. He abducted and assaulted her, and threatened the life of her dog.”
The victim was taken to the hospital for examination on March 28 and the RCMP members and the accused were treated and released from the Urgent Care Centre in Airdrie for injuries they sustained during the altercation.
The man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim, has been charged with 15 counts including break and enter with intent, forcible confinement, choking to overcome resistance, assault, assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest and other offenses.
“The victim in this case is to be commended for her resolve at finding help, which contributed to her own rescue, and the good samaritan and mall security deserve recognition for taking the matter seriously and obtaining assistance for her,” said Hamori. “The RCMP members attended very promptly, and despite suffering injuries themselves, were able to control the accused without serious injury to him, or others nearby. This incident is an excellent example of community/police co-operation, which had a very positive outcome.”
