On Nov. 18, at 2:05 a.m., Leaf Rapids RCMP responded to a report of an attempted robbery at a residence located on Wapoos Bay in Leaf Rapids.
Officers located an injured 18-year-old male who advised that a male suspect known to him, had entered his home armed with a sawed-off firearm and knife, and attempted to steal money and ammunition from him.
The victim was assaulted and suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect, identified as a 24-year-old man from Leaf Rapids, fled the scene. Patrols were made and known addresses were checked, however, the suspect was not located.
At 5:30 a.m., Leaf Rapids RCMP responded to a complaint of an assault on Nisku Bay. Officers arrived and located an 18-year-old-female with visible non-life-threatening injuries. It is believed the same suspect was involved in this assault. The victim and suspect were known to each other.
While officers were on scene, it was learned that the suspect had gone to the neighbouring residence immediately after the assault and pointed a firearm at the neighbour, also known to the suspect, before fleeing the scene.
At 5:45 a.m., officers were then dispatched to the initial residence, located on Wapoos Bay, to a report of a house fire, where the suspect was observed exiting the home as the fire started. The initial victim was no longer inside and the suspect fled the scene.
Throughout the day, officers followed up on several tips and checked numerous addresses in the community in an effort to locate and arrest the suspect. He was not located.
The following day, Leaf Rapids RCMP received information that the suspect was at a residence on Mukasew Bay and wished to turn himself in. Officers attended and arrested the man without incident.
Gerald Spence, 24, from Leaf Rapids, was remanded into custody on 21 Criminal Code charges including aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, breaking and entering, careless use of a firearm and pointing a firearm. He remains in custody.
Leaf Rapids RCMP continue to investigate.
