(UPDATE) Police seek public assistance in three recent assaults involving chemical irritant

File: 24-1162, 1220, 1221

Update: March 6, 2024, 12:22 p.m.

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On Saturday, February 24, 2024, a 17-year-old youth was arrested for assault with a weapon on a bus driver that occurred on February 17, 2024, on King Street in Uptown Saint John. The accused was also arrested for breach of probation and mischief to a police vehicle under $5000.00. The youth was released from custody on an undertaking with a condition to return to court on March 27, 2024.

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On February 29, 2024, two 14-year-old youth were arrested for assault with a weapon on a taxi driver that occurred on February 20, 2024, in the area of Princess Elizabeth School. Both accused were released from custody on undertakings to return to court on May 8, 2024.

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On Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at approximately 7:10 p.m., police were called to Technology Drive where a 13-year-old youth had allegedly been robbed of his belongings and sprayed with a chemical irritant while walking along the road. This incident remains under investigation by the Major Crime Unit. To date, no charges have been laid. Detectives are seeking information, witnesses, and anyone with video footage or surveillance that may capture the suspects in the general area.

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The Saint John Police Major Crime Unit are seeking the public’s assistance in connection with three separate assaults involving chemical irritant.

It is alleged that:

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On Saturday, February 17, 2024, at approximately 10:36 p.m., a bus driver was dropping off three riders on King Street Uptown. They were described as one male and two female teenagers; one suspect was wearing a red hoody, blue pants, and a backpack. Another had long curly hair and another was wearing their hair up in a bun. After exiting the bus, the male sprayed a chemical irritant into the bus. The suspects fled on foot and were not located at the time. The driver was treated at the scene by EMS. See previous news release dated February 20, 2024.

24-1220
On Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at approximately 7:10 p.m., police were called to Technology Drive where a 13-year-old youth had allegedly been robbed of his belongings and sprayed with a chemical irritant while walking along the road. The suspect vehicle was described as a dark coloured vehicle and the victim heard a female voice before being assaulted. He was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The suspects were not located at the time.

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On Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at approximately 8:09 p.m., police were called to Princess Elizabeth School for a 52-year-old taxi driver who had been sprayed with a chemical irritant. It was alleged that the driver picked up a male and female at a grocery store on Somerset Street. He drove them to a nearby school parking on Sixth Street. When they exited the vehicle, the male sprayed the driver with a chemical irritant and fled on foot. The driver was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The suspects who were not located at the time are described as a Caucasian male in his late teens, average build, dark hair wearing a matching brown and white track suit with the hood up, white and black Nike sneakers, and a white flat beak ball cap. The Caucasian female appeared to be mid to late teens, average build, blonde hair and was wearing grey sweats pants, a maroon Harvard University hoodie and black headphone or earmuffs.

The Major Crime Unit are investigating. Detectives are exploring the possibility that these incidents may be connected. They are appealing for witnesses or anyone in the area that has video footage or surveillance of the incidents at the time they occurred.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Saint John Police Force at 1-506-648-3333, or if you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or 1-800-222-T.I.P.S.

For more news, visit News | Saint John Police Force