Police seek suspect in sex assault, arson
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/08/2017 (2416 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Police are seeking a man in connection with a pair of brutal crimes, one involving a sexual assault and the other an arson that sent six people to hospital, including a newborn and a four-year-old child.
Leslie Reid Contois, 42, is a suspect in both cases, which both involve the same woman. Police issued a special notice about him on Thursday, asking the public to call 911 if anyone spots him.
Contois was the focus of a police appeal two weeks ago in connection with the sexual assault.
At the time, police only released his name, not their suspicions he might also be linked to the arson.
“We can now acknowledge this individual is, we believe him to be, responsible for this fire,” Const. Jay Murray said.
Police also confirmed Thursday that Contois was the subject of a third police complaint involving the same woman, which predated the later crimes. Police were called to a dispute involving Contois and the woman on July 8.
First responders were called to a fire in an apartment building in the 400 block of Sherbrook Street just after 10 a.m. on July 28.
Police provided minimal details on the fire at the time, saying only that six people had to be taken to the hospital as a precaution for smoke inhalation. All six were treated and released.
Four of the individuals, including the children, were innocent victims in the arson. Police now believe the intended victims were the woman who was the assault victim and a man who was with her.
A warrant for the arrest of Contois is related to the fire, and includes two counts of attempted murder, arson with disregard for human life and forcible confinement.
Damage to the building was estimated at around $1 million and it will be months before tenants can lease suites there again.
The Armour Property Management Group manages the block at 485 Sherbrook, property manager Grant Steele confirmed Thursday
“The building is going to have to be completely redone. Typically in situations like this, it can take up to a year,” Steele said.
About 25 people held leases at the time of the arson.
Some have moved into other properties managed by Armour and others are believed to have found separate housing. No one was reported homeless as of mid-August, Steele confirmed.
The arsonist somehow gained access to the building and made his way to the third floor suite where a flammable substance was ignited in the hallway, outside the apartment door while the woman and the man were inside, Steele confirmed he was told.
The other four victims, including the children, were in nearby suites, in the wrong place at the wrong time, police said.
The sexual assault warrant includes sexual assault with a weapon, uttering threats and an attempt to strangle the victim.
That assault took place July 15. Police released few details Thursday, other than to confirm the woman, from Winnipeg, was the intended target in the fire and the same victim in the complaint call at the beginning of July.
“The public is advised not to approach Contois under any circumstances. If Contois is observed or his whereabouts are known, we ask the public to contact 911,” the police spokesman said.
“It’s believed he can be anywhere in the city of Winnipeg.”
alexandra.paul@freepress.mb.ca