RCMP member recovering following attack by own batton during attempted arrest
Posted July 8, 2020 5:15 pm.
Last Updated July 9, 2020 2:17 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
COLD LAKE (CityNews) – Charges have been laid against 44-year-old Travis Peter Slipchuk of Bonnyville, Alta. in the recent assault against a Cold Lake RCMP member, during an attempted arrest.
On the evening of July 7, Cold Lake RCMP located a stolen vehicle in a Walmart parking lot and the responding member attempted to deal with the vehicle and arrest the male who was believed to be responsible.
The 44-year-old male suspect allegedly punched the member in the head, then grabbed the RCMP member’s baton and struck them in the head with it numerous times.
The male reportedly fled on foot with the baton and smashed the window of an occupied vehicle in an unsuccessful attempt to steal it.
He then threatened another driver with a knife and the baton and fled southbound on Highway 28 in a newly stolen Chevrolet Trailblazer.
RCMP initiated a pursuit and managed to cause the stolen Trailblazer to become disabled, at which point they arrested the male on the scene without further incident. The RCMP baton was recovered in the vehicle.
The RCMP member was taken to hospital and treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries. They are now recovering at home.
“I want to thank the community members who came forward to assist our RCMP member and to provide valuable witness evidence in relation to this terrible incident,” said Sgt. Ryan Howrish of the Cold Lake RCMP in a statement. “An incident like this highlights the unpredictable and dangerous situations we face on a daily basis.”
Slipchuk is facing 24 criminal code charges including attempted murder, two counts of theft/attempted theft of a weapon from a peace officer, assault with a weapon, four counts of theft of a vehicle.
Slipchuk is next scheduled to appear in Cold Lake Provincial Court on July 22, 2020.
The investigation into this incident continues with the assistance of the RCMP Major Crimes Unit.
