The Regina Police Service attended to several incidents that involved bear spray last week and over the weekend. Please remember that a person can be charged with a criminal offence for discharging bear spray against another person in the city of Regina.
October 7, 2015: Officers dispatched to a report of a house where suspects broke a window and discharged bear spray at occupants of the house. Police stopped a vehicle in the area with several people inside. An investigation lead to arrests and charges including eight counts of Assault with a Weapon, Mischief Under $5000, and Fail to Comply with Undertaking. The main accused was held and appeared in Youth Provincial Court on October 8th at 9:30 a.m.
October 8, 2015: A 26 year-old male was sprayed with bear spray on the 1500 block of Retallack St. by three suspects. Suspects fled.
October 9, 2015: A 58 year-old male was sprayed with bear spray on Wascana St & 8th Ave and his bag was stolen. Suspect fled.
October 10, 2015: A 24 year-old male was approached by a 23 year-old female who asked to use his cell phone. He allowed her to use it and then she began to walk away with it. When the victim approached her for his phone back, suspect sprayed victim with bear spray and left. The female suspect was apprehended and charged with Assault with Weapon, Fail to Comply with Probation Order, Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Weapon and Possession of Firearm or Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order. The suspect was held and appeared in Provincial Court this morning at 9:30 a.m.
October 10, 2015: Four youth (three females and one male) had been sprayed with bear spray on the 100 block of Broadway Ave after attending a funeral. The suspect, who was known to the victims, was located and taken into custody afterwards. The suspect was charged with four counts of Assault with a Weapon and Fail to Comply with Undertaking. The suspect was held and appeared in Youth Provincial Court this morning at 9:30 a.m.
October 12, 2015: A 20 year-old male and a 28 year-old female are facing numerous charges after an incident at 10th Ave & Park St. This incident will be subject of a news release later today. The suspects will appear in Provincial Court today at 2:00 p.m.
A reminder that in Canada, it is illegal to carry a concealed weapon or a device that is being carried with intent to injure, immobilize or otherwise incapacitate any person by the discharge of the item (including tear gas, mace, bear spray or other gas). Buying or possessing bear spray is not an offence but buying it “for protection” is; in an urban environment that means someone intends to use it against another person, as an offensive weapon. Possible criminal code charges could include Assault with a Weapon, Carrying a Concealed Weapon and Possession of a Weapon for A Dangerous Purpose.
Regina Police Service members have been working with Regina retailers, to better educate them on the requirements of the Federal Pest Control Products Act. Bear spray is a regulated product under this Act. Retailers have the right to refuse a sale of bear spray. Anyone purchasing bear spray must provide photo ID and sign a waiver form that includes the individual’s name and address. These forms will be accessible to police should the need arise.
If you know of someone who has a concealed weapon in their possession with intent to use in an illegal manner, please call the Regina Police Service at 306-777-6500 or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). If you see a crime in progress, call 9-1-1.
