SASKATOON - Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) responded to 10 incidents regarding bear spray over the weekend in the city.
One incident occurred at a liquor store in the 2200 block of 22nd Street West. Patrol officers were dispatched at approximately 1 a.m., Feb. 15. Three youth reportedly entered the business in an attempt to steal liquor. When confronted by staff, the suspects deployed bear spray toward the employees before fleeing on foot.
In a separate incident, police responded to a shopping mall in the 3300 block of 8th Street East, on Feb. 15 at approximately 5:30 p.m. It was reported to SPS that a large group of people had deployed bear spray. After initial investigation, it appears that two groups of people deployed bear spray toward each other as they were running through the building. When officers arrived, the suspects and victims had fled. No other occupants required medical attention.
In another incident, police were dispatched to another shopping mall in the 200 block of First Avenue North at approximately 12 p.m., Feb. 17. It was reported to police that while security was escorting a group of four people out of the mall, they deployed bear spray toward the security guard. The suspects fled on foot but were arrested by SPS a short distance away. Two individuals were found to have bear spray in their possession while a third had a collapsible baton.
Four suspects, ranging in age from 15 to 17 years old, were all charged with weapons-related offences. The 16-year-old youth was also charged with assault with a weapon. A 15-year-old youth was subsequently released without charges.
