A man arrested last week for the violent kidnapping of a woman in the Pimicikamak Cree Nation community in northern Manitoba now faces formal charges.
Charges and Court Appearance
Joshua Paupanekis, also known as Albert Allan Joshua McKay, faces charges of kidnapping, assault with a weapon, and failing to comply with prior release orders. He made his first court appearance on Monday in Thompson.
Details of the Incident
Police responded to a residence in Pimicikamak, located about 530 kilometres north of Winnipeg, around 5:40 a.m. on February 5. Authorities report that Paupanekis entered the home, struck a 24-year-old man with a hammer, and abducted a 20-year-old woman. He was also armed with a knife during the assault.
Police Response and Alert
The incident led to a province-wide dangerous person alert, which activated alarms on mobile phones across Manitoba. Officials expressed concerns that the woman was in immediate danger. Multiple police units from Manitoba and Saskatchewan deployed to the area.
Resolution and Ongoing Investigation
Rescue teams located Paupanekis around 11:15 a.m. the following morning inside a vacant property in the community. The woman, who sustained minor injuries, received precautionary treatment at the local nursing station and was later released. Major crime investigators continue to probe the case.
