RCMP lay charges laid against suspect at centre of Manitoba manhunt

Charges have been laid against a man accused of abducting a woman at knifepoint on a northern Manitoba First Nation last week.

A man who was the suspect of a dangerous person alert last week is facing a slew of charges in connection to a Manitoba woman’s abduction last week.

Manitoba RCMP say Albert Allan Joshua McKay, otherwise known as Joshua Paupanekis, was charged with kidnapping, two counts of assault with a weapon, and two counts of failing to comply with an undertaking.

His first court appearance is Monday in Thompson, Man., RCMP said.

The charges come after Mounties were called Feb. 5 to a home in Pimicikamak Cree Nation for a report of an aggravated assault.

Police allege a suspect went into the home and struck a 24-year-old resident with a hammer.

The suspect, who was also armed with a knife, then abducted a 20-year-old woman from the home, police said.

Mounties issued a dangerous person alert for Pimicikamak Cree Nation and the surrounding area for McKay.

At the time, officers said they feared for the woman’s safety and called on the public for any information on her and McKay’s whereabouts.

The next day, Mounties say a tip led them to a vacant home in Pimicikamak Cree Nation, where they found and arrested McKay without incident.

The 20-year-old woman was found in the home with minor injuries.

She was taken for medical care as a precaution.

The suspect remained in custody as major crimes investigators and Manitoba Prosecution decided on possible charges.

None of the allegations have been tested in court.