More officers have arrived in Cross Lake, Man. as police continue to search for a suspect believed to have abducted a 20-year-old woman from the community early Thursday morning.
Manitoba RCMP said the search continues for Joshua Paupanekis, with additional officers from Winnipeg arriving Thursday afternoon to help with the investigation.
Police said officers are now going door-to-door in the community.
“While search efforts are concentrated in Pimicikamak Cree Nation, it is possible Paupanekis has fled the community,” RCMP said in an update Thursday afternoon.
The 39-year-old man from the Pimicikamak Cree Nation is wanted in connection with the abduction of a 20-year-old woman.
The investigation stems from a call to police in Cross Lake just before 5:40 a.m. Thursday for a report of an aggravated assault at a home in the community.
Police allege Paupanekis went into the home and struck a 24-year-old resident with a hammer.
The suspect, who was also armed with a knife, then abducted the woman from the home, Mounties said.
“Joshua Paupanekis was last seen fleeing on foot with the victim,” RCMP said in a news release.
Mounties allege Paupanekis and the woman are known to one another and investigators consider the incident an act of intimate partner violence.
Mounties issued a dangerous person alert at around 11 a.m. for Pimicikamak Cree Nation and the surrounding area for the 39-year-old suspect.
A large-scale search effort is underway with multiple police units in the community to find the suspect and the victim.
The RCMP’s Emergency Operations Centre has also been activated to assist in coordinating search and investigative efforts.
Paupanekis is described a six-feet-tall, about 185 lbs. with black hair and brown eyes.
The suspect is believed to be armed and dangerous.
Anyone who sees him should not approach and is asked to contact RCMP at 204-676-2600.
CTV News has reached out to Pimicikamak Cree Nation Chief David Monias for comment and is awaiting a response.
None of the allegations have been tested in court.
CTV News has removed the victim’s name and photo.
