Regina police are asking for the public’s help as they investigate a string of bear spray attacks over the weekend.
Shortly before 3 a.m. Saturday, police were called to the Regina General Hospital after an 18-year-old woman was attacked with bear spray. Police say the woman was walking alone in the west alley at the intersection of 12th Avenue and Toronto Street when a white truck pulled up alongside her from behind. The driver called for her attention, and as the woman turned to look, a person inside the truck sprayed her in the face.
Less than an hour later, officers responded to another bear spray attack in the 1800 block of Quebec Street. Two 14-year-old girls and a 12-year-old girl had been sprayed by people in a white truck, police said.
Another bear spray attack occurred just before noon Saturday in the 900 block of East Arcola Avenue. Police say the victim, a 32-year-old man, was walking alone when a white truck pulled up beside him and one of the occupants sprayed him.
Around 12:30 a.m. Sunday, police responded to another report of a bear spray attack at the intersection of 11th Avenue and Winnipeg Street. Police say a caller said someone had been sprayed at that location, then hung up. Officers checked the area for any victims, but found none.
Around 2 a.m. Sunday, police received a report of a white truck seen racing around a neighbourhood had crashed into a tree in the 1600 block of Toronto Street. Police found the truck abandoned against a tree. The truck was confirmed to be stolen.
No one was seriously injured in any of the attacks, police said in a news release Monday.
Police are continuing to investigate the incidents, which they believe are related. Investigators are following up with victims and witnesses. It’s believed there were three or four people inside the truck during the attacks, and that two of them were girls in their teens.
Anyone with information that could help in the investigation is asked to contact Regina police or Crime Stoppers.
