O’LEARY, P.E.I. – A 20-year-old male and two 16-year-old male youths, all from West Prince, have been arrested in connection with a home invasion in O’Leary Monday night, which left a female resident with head injuries.
Prince District RCMP responded to a complaint received at 7:10 p.m. Monday alleging that an assault and a theft had just occurred at a residence in O’Leary.
RCMP are alleging two males, wearing masks had entered the residence and confronted the two female occupants. One of the males was armed with a hammer and the other with a small knife. Police believe the 20-year-old and one of the 16-year-olds entered the residence.
Police say one of the females was struck in the head several times with a hammer. She was subsequently transported to Prince County Hospital by ambulance where she was treated for her head injuries, including stitches, and released.
Although police indicate the second female was not injured, a social media post by an individual identified as a relative, indicated the second female sustained multiple bruises in the attack.
Staff Sergeant Kevin Bailey, speaking on behalf of the RCMP’s Major Crime Unit, which is handling the investigation, said the two adult women in the residence are related.
He said the investigation suggests that, without a struggle or provocation, the male with the hammer struck one of the females in the head several times, and she sustained some fairly serious head lacerations.
“The males demanded cash from the two women, and they obtained some cash and then left the residence,” he said.
Bailey said it doesn’t seem like there was a struggle before the assault.
“In this case, it sounds like the male was fairly aggressive with the hammer.”
In addition to Prince District members, the Major Crime Unit and the RCMP Police Service Dog Unit responded.
Late Monday evening the 20-year-old accused was arrested. The two 16-year-olds were arrested Tuesday and later released. They are scheduled to appear in Youth Court on March 15.
The 20-year-old had a court appearance in Summerside on Tuesday and has been remanded in custody while awaiting his next court appearance. No information was provided in relation to how the accused were identified.
The charges being considered, Bailey said, include break and enter, forcible confinement, assault with a weapon causing bodily harm, wearing a disguise with intent to commit an offence, assault and theft.
Bailey said police allege the two males forced the two females into one room while they looked for money.
Police don’t believe there were any additional persons involved in the incident but their investigation into the alleged crime is continuing. They invite anyone with information to contact Prince District RCMP or CrimeStoppers.
