NAICATCHEWENIN — Treaty Three police say no one was hurt following what officials are calling a “high risk situation” in Naicatchewenin where a man was arrested for allegedly brandishing an axe and threatening people.
In a media release issued on Tuesday, police said they received multiple calls about a man armed with an axe in Naicatchewenin on Monday but were not able to locate him. At about 7:30 p.m., police said the “situation escalated” when they received reports that he was “actively threatening” people with the weapon.
Treaty Three and Ontario Provincial Police responded, the release said.
“Given the nature of the threat, officers took appropriate precautions to ensure the safety of community members and themselves,” the release said, adding that de-escalation was used and no one was hurt.
“This was a dangerous and unpredictable situation that could have ended very differently,” Staff-Sgt. James Broughton was quoted as saying in the release. “Our officers relied on their training, maintained calm under pressure, and made the safety of community members their top priority.”
The 44-year-old, who police did not name, was charged with four counts each of assault with a weapon and failing to comply with court orders, as well as one count each of possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose and resisting a police officer.
