Passerby intervenes in sexual assault, police arrest suspect

NEWS RELEASE
THUNDER BAY POLICE SERVICE
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Thunder Bay Police Service officers with the Uniform Patrol Branch were dispatched to a reported sexual assault that had just occurred in a parking lot in the 1000 block of Dawson Road just before 2:50 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23.

As a result of their investigation, officers learned an accused male was sitting beside an unconscious female in the Wal-Mart parking lot near one of the store’s emergency exits. While sitting next to the female, the male accused began to assault her.

A passerby who had just parked nearby noticed the male acting suspiciously and that the female appeared to be unconscious. Realizing the male appeared to be in the process of assaulting the female, the witness immediately honked their horn.

The witness’ intervention led the accused to stop what he was doing, stand up and begin to leave the area. The witness then contacted 911 to report the incident.

Paramedics arrived to attend to the victim and police arrested the accused who was still in the area.

Duncan Joseph ACHNEEPINESKUM, 47, of Thunder Bay is charged with Sexual Assault, Breach of Probation and Failing to Comply with an Undertaking.

He appeared in bail court Tuesday morning and was remanded into custody with a future appearance date.