Arrest warrant issued after assault of 3 women: RCMP

James Maytwayashing is pictured in this undated image supplied by the Manitoba RCMP.

The Manitoba RCMP is searching for a suspect following a series of assaults on Little Saskatchewan First Nation on Tuesday.

The first assault occurred around 12:15 a.m. at a home on the central Manitoba First Nation. According to police, a male suspect attacked a 33-year-old woman, who then fled the scene to get help from family members.

The victim and suspect are known to each other.

The incident continued when a 31-year-old woman, who is a relative of the first victim, was attacked and bear sprayed after approaching the suspect.

At this point, a car with two women inside arrived at the property. Police allege the suspect, who was armed with a handgun, forced the driver out of the car, took the keys and sped off with the 30-year-old passenger still inside.

RCMP officers, who had been notified of the incident, began patrolling Highway 6 for the suspect vehicle. Shortly after, Mounties found the car in Ashern, Man.

Police spoke with the victim who said the suspect got out of the car after they arrived at a home in the community. The 30-year-old victim then drove away.

All three assault victims were assessed but refused treatment at the hospital.

Police are now looking for and have issued an arrest warrant for the suspect, who has been identified as 31-year-old James Maytwayashing.

Officers note he may be armed and advise the public that he should not be approached. Anyone with information about Maytwayashing’s whereabouts is asked to call 911, RCMP at 204-659-5224 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.