Northern News Services
Friday, July 13, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - A First Air passenger who joked about two people carrying explosives July 3 could face a charge under the Canadian Aviation Security Regulations, according to RCMP Const. Roxanne Dreilich.

The 30-year-old Edmonton man was boarding a flight from Yellowknife to Edmonton when he claimed that two people accompanying him shouldn't be allowed on the plane because they were carrying explosives in their pockets.

When the RCMP detained and questioned the man after barring all three men from going on the flight, it became apparent that the man "unwisely made the statement in reaction to a practical joke played on him by the other two men," said Dreilich.

"The men were released from custody and caught a flight to Edmonton the next day," added Dreilich.

Pending statements from airport staff, the joker could be charged with one count of making a false declaration regarding explosives in an airport.

Alley assault

A 20-year-old woman was assaulted in the alley behind Quality Furniture on Franklin Avenue early Sunday morning.

A witness to the assault living in an apartment nearby saw it happen from his balcony.

"(The witness) observed the male dragging the female along the ground as she struggled to get away," said Const. Roxanne Dreilich.

The police arrived at the scene and a 20-year-old suspect was arrested.

Police discovered the altercation had begun in the assailant's house when the woman tried to leave the apartment "but the man did not let her go," said Dreilich.

The woman suffered some minor injuries to her arms and legs but declined medical attention.

Break-in at day care centre

Police responded to the Yellowknife Day Care Centre around 11:30 p.m. July 5 after a report of a broken window.

The building was cleared by the police dog and RCMP officers.

No suspects were found and nothing had been taken from the building.