Seven incidents involving bear spray were reported to Saskatoon police over the long weekend. Several remain under investigation.
Around 2:20 p.m. on Friday, officers responded to a report of an injured man who had been bear sprayed in the 2200 block of 22nd Street West, a Tuesday news release said.
When they arrived, they found the man “suffering from the effects of bear spray.” He refused medical care, the release noted.
The suspect is described as male, wearing jeans, a black jersey, a black hat and sunglasses.
“The victim and suspect are believed to be known to one another,” the release said.
Later on Friday, around 6:10 p.m., police received a report of someone being bear sprayed in the 200 block of 23rd Street East.
Officers arrived in time to see two suspects fleeing. A short time later, they arrested two boys, ages 12 and 13.
The victim “did not wish to proceed with charges,” the release noted. The suspects were released to their guardians without charges.
Around 10:30 p.m. the same night, officers responded to a bear spray call in the 400 block of Fairmont Drive.
The release noted the suspects had fled before police arrived.
Around 6:10 p.m. on Saturday, officers responded to a call about bear spray being discharged on a city bus in the westbound lanes of 20th Street. Arriving officers found a male victim on the bus. He was treated by paramedics before being taken to hospital.
The release said police don’t believe the suspect and victim know each other.
An hour later, around 7:10 p.m., officers responded to a report of a robbery in progress, where bear spray had been used inside a business in the 2100 block of 22nd Street West.
The suspects fled before officers arrived, but they found and spoke with the victim.
“The suspects are believed to have fled with property belonging to the business,” the release said.
Around 12:30 p.m. on Monday, officers were called to a robbery in progress where bear spray was involved, at a business in the 200 block of Idylwyld Drive.
“The suspects fled the scene with property belonging to the business before police arrived,” the release said.
Officers arrived to find the suspect and the victims had gone.
“Upon further investigation, it is believed that a male bear sprayed a group of females,” the release said.
The suspect is described as male, wearing all black, with white on his sleeves.
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