2 men charged after woman sprayed with chemical irritant during robbery: Charlottetown police

A Charlottetown Police Services sign is pictured in this file photo.

Two men are facing charges after a woman was sprayed with an irritant during a robbery in Charlottetown last week.

Charlottetown Police Services responded to a panic alarm from staff at a business on University Avenue on March 18.

Staff said a woman had been sprayed with a chemical irritant, which was believed to be bear spray.

Multiple police units responded and officers confirmed the irritant to be bear spray.

The victim was treated by paramedics for her injuries at the scene.

Police say the officers identified two male suspects who fled the scene.

The victim and the suspects were known to each other.

Officers found one of the suspects on Burns Avenue a short time later and he was arrested.

The second suspect was found on King Street on Monday.

Police say he was arrested after trying to flee on foot.

The first suspect, 29-year-old Blake Pursey, has been charged with:

• robbery with a weapon
• mischief under $5,000
• breach of probation

He has been remanded into custody.

The second suspect, 32-year-old Michael Hollinger, has been charged with:

• robbery with a weapon
• possession of a weapon for dangerous purposes
• failure to comply with a release order and breach of probation

Police say Hollinger has also been charged with numerous other offences that happened after the robbery:

• theft under $5,000 (two counts)
• trespassing at night (two counts)
• breach of probation (two counts)
• possession of a weapon for dangerous purposes
• possession of fentanyl

He has also been remanded into custody.

For more P.E.I. news, visit our dedicated provincial page.