by P.J. Harston
Northern News Services

NNSL (Aug 13/97) - Yellowknife RCMP say they have arrested the ring-leader they believe responsible for a rash of random attacks in the downtown core.

And while a special undercover police operation is responsible for the arrest, Sgt. Wylie Grimm said Tuesday morning that police couldn't have done it without help from the public.

"Police would like to thank the public for providing information and would like to request further input from the public in relation to these matters and any other unsolved offences," said Grimm.

"All leads will be thoroughly investigated."

Police arrested a young male offender in Rae Monday night. He is charged with three counts each of robbery and assault causing bodily harm.

Those charges, police say, are all connected with muggings and beatings in downtown Yellowknife over the last month.

"RCMP have now arrested whom they believe is the main suspect in the latest rash of random assaults against residents of the city," said Grimm.

The young offender was taken into police custody in Rae and is expected to appear in court in Yellowknife on Thursday.

This latest arrest comes on the heels of a weekend police action that netted one suspect whom police say helped them break the case wide open.

Sgt. Grimm and Cpl. Mac Eaton said Monday that a plainclothes unit special operation carried out over the weekend and aimed directly at combating the recent spat of violence resulted in the arrest of a 17-year-old Yellowknife youth.

Police picked him up in front of the Gold Range at 1:30 a.m. He was later charged with two counts each of robbery and assault and one count each of obstructing a peace officer, carrying a concealed weapon, breach of probation, break and enter and theft.

The youth appeared in court briefly Monday afternoon, was kept in police custody and ordered to return to court Aug. 25.

And yesterday afternoon police made a third arrest, although they have yet to release what this third youth has been charged with.

"Yellowknife detachment is now confident that with the arrests made so far, and with others now keeping a low profile, that this group (responsible for the violent attacks) has now been dismantled," said Grimm.

He added that police are still looking for several other suspects wanted in connection with the attacks. While descriptions of the youths cannot be published, any helpful information residents can provide is still appreciated.