Cops ask for public to help nab accused
Cape Dorset man on the run allegedly shot at boaters
Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Monday, August 21, 2017
KUGLUKTUK
When an elusive Cape Dorset man, already facing criminal charges, allegedly fired shots from a high-powered rifle in the direction of some boaters on Aug. 14, the RCMP turned to the public for help and made an appeal to the accused himself.
The RCMP are asking the public for information that will help them arrest David Mikkigak of Cape Dorset to face allegations of assault and forcible confinement, but Mikkigak has evaded police over the past several weeks. - Facebook photo |
"There's a lot of fear in the community," RCMP Staff Sgt. Mark Crowther said. "These people want to hunt and fish, and of course this guy is keeping them hostage."
The police, having spent several weeks trying to track down the accused, issued a news release on Aug. 15 titled: RCMP to David Mikkigak: "Talk to Us. Communicate. We can Resolve This Peacefully."
Mikkigak, 37, is wanted on charges of forcible confinement and assault.
The police asked the public to assist in bringing Mikkigak to justice, but also to stop aiding him with food and supplies while he's on the run.
"Very clearly we believe that others have been helping him. We're hoping that this targeted media strategy has cut that off," Crowther said.
Some family members and friends have made an appeal for Mikkigak to give himself up, Crowther noted.
"We have had some progress, not to the point where he's turned himself in," said Crowther on Aug. 17. "We're hoping that with patience and time that he's going to turn himself in... hopefully he'll come to his senses."
The Mounties encourage anyone with information to call police or CrimeStoppers.
