A passerby is earning a “thank you” from Saskatoon police after helping an officer take down a combative suspect.
The officer, who was hurt during the altercation with the 24-year-old suspect, began tussling with the man after police tried to pull over a suspicious vehicle around 9 p.m. Monday.
Police tried to stop the vehicle — which was later discovered stolen from Kindersley, Sask. — near 11th Street and Avenue P South, but the driver fled. A brief chase ensued until the suspect ditched the vehicle behind a compound on the 600 block of Avenue O South and scaled a fence.
The canine unit pursuing the suspect was unable to hop the fence, but a patrol officer — a sergeant — managed to confront the suspect at the front of the compound. The two engaged in a physical altercation that lasted several minutes, according to a media release from Saskatoon police.
The officer tried to stop the suspect using a stun gun, but the Taser was ineffective.
Police were only able to take the man into custody after a passerby intervened and helped the officer until more units arrived.
"While police don't encourage the public to intervene in physical incidents, the SPS would like to thank this passerby for assisting the officer," police said in a media release.
The sergeant suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital.
The 24-year-old, who was wanted on an outstanding warrant for being unlawfully at large, is accused of possessing stolen property over $5,000, assaulting a police officer causing bodily harm, dangerously operating a vehicle, carrying a concealed weapon and possessing a dangerous weapon.
He first appeared in court Tuesday and was remanded until his next appearance set for Thursday morning.
