Sault police charge multiple suspects in downtown assault

An undated photo of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service's Division 2 station on Brock Street. (File photo/Supplied/Sault Ste. Marie Police Service)

Sault Ste. Marie police made two arrests and laid multiple charges in connection with a violent assault at a downtown business earlier this month that sent one person to hospital.

An investigation into the incident, which occurred in the 100 block of Gore Street on the afternoon of Sept. 13, revealed additional details.

Initial arrest and investigation

Officers responded to a 911 call about an assault at a business at about 12:10 p.m. that Saturday.

“An investigation revealed the accused headbutted a staff member at the business when asked to leave the property, causing physical injuries,” the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service said in their initial news release.

The victim was transported to hospital.

A 54-year-old man was taken into custody at the scene and charged with assault.

He was released on an undertaking with a court date set for Nov. 17.

Additional suspect and charges

Further investigation uncovered additional details about the incident, police said. On Friday, police announced they had charged a 26-year-old man Sept. 18 and laid additional charges against the 54-year-old man initially apprehended.

“Although the first accused had fled the scene prior to officers’ arrival, an investigation revealed the first accused kicked a staff member in the head multiple times, causing serious physical injuries,” said police in a subsequent news release.

“A warrant was obtained for his arrest.”

The second accused, the 54-year-old man, had also had a new warrant issued for new charges.

“Further investigation revealed the second accused had also verbally threatened the victim and their property,” police said.

Court date unchanged

Police located both accused on Thursday last week, taking them into custody.

The 26-year-old has been charged with assault causing bodily harm and the 54-year-old man now faces the additional charges of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm and uttering threats to damage property, on top of the initial assault charge.

Both were released on undertakings and are scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 17.