Two arrests made in relation to downtown assaults
Police have made arrests in relation to two assaults that occurred in downtown Ottawa. On the evening of Nov. 4, a 32-year-old international student was assaulted, and almost thrown off Cummings Bridge, located between downtown Ottawa and Vanier.
Two police officers were in the area at 11:50 p.m., and intervened on the man’s behalf. The student initially fled from the scene, according to an Ottawa Police Service (OPS) statement, but returned when he realized that police had brought down the assailants. He told police that he was on his way home, when a man grabbed him and attempted to throw him off the bridge.
“These arrests have made our City a little safer,” said Sergeant Steven Desjourdy, in the OPS statement.
“I have no doubt that the intervention of Detectives Hussein Assaad and Evan Hung on Cummings Bridge have prevented a member of the student community from sustaining serious injuries, maybe even death,” he said.
The OPS cannot confirm at this time whether the victim of the attack was a student of the University of Ottawa.
Police arrested a 16-year-old, who is charged with possessing a prohibited weapon and carrying a concealed weapon. Timothy Ryan Smith, 31, is charged with assault and aggravated assault. A warrant is out for the arrest of 31-year-old James Picody for aggravated assaulted and uttering threats. Police believe that they were responsible for another attack earlier in the week
The officers were investigating an assault that occurred on Nov. 1, where a 31-year-old man was attacked by four people on Rideau and William Streets around 7 p.m. The man suffered injuries to his face and shoulders.
The police are still looking for a fourth suspect.
Anyone with further information is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Central District Investigation at 613-236-1222, ext. 3566. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at 613-233-8477 (TIPS), toll free at 1-800-222-8477 or downloading the Ottawa Police iOS app.
