Two arrested after bear spray assault

A man was bear-sprayed and dragged by another vehicle after an argument at a gas station on Christmas Eve, Winnipeg police say.

Two people were arrested following the Dec. 24 incident, which happened at about 12:45 p.m. at a gas station at Abinojii Mikanah and St. Anne’s Road. A man in a Toyota Tundra got into a verbal argument with a 59-year-old man, then sprayed the victim with bear spray. As the victim tried to stop the other man, the female driver of the Toyota Tundra drove away, dragging the 59-year-old man a short distance, the Winnipeg Police Service stated in a news release. 

The victim was taken to hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

At about 12:51 p.m., East District general patrol officers saw the suspect’s vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. Police say a 33-year-old male suspect was uncooperative while police attempted to arrest him, and that a 24-year-old woman was arrested without incident. After searching the vehicle, police seized bear spray, drug paraphernalia and $600 cash.

Wilson Hornbrook, 33, is charged with assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon, resisting arrest, possession of proceeds obtained by crime under $5,000, two counts of failing to comply with conditions of a release order, and failing to comply with a probation order. He was detained in custody. The 24-year-old woman faces a charge of fleeing while pursued by a police officer. She was released on an undertaking to appear in court at a later date; Police have not publicly released her name.