Teens sought after assault on youth-centre employee
Police are searching for two teenage suspects who fled after an assault on a staff member at a youth centre northeast of Edmonton.
Shortly after 11 p.m. Saturday, an Elk Island Youth Ranch staff member reported being assaulted by two teenage boys who are residents of the facility east of Lamont, police said.
Fort Saskatchewan RCMP and emergency medical services were called to respond to the ranch at 1:15 a.m. where they found the female staff member with serious injuries.
“There was delay in staff actually finding out the assault had taken place,” Fort Saskatchewan RCMP Cpl. Mike McCreedy said on Sunday morning.
STARS Air Ambulance was dispatched to the Lamont Hospital just before 2 a.m. and transported a woman in her 60s in serious but stable condition to hospital in Edmonton, spokeswoman Fatima Khawaja said.
McCreedy said it’s expected the woman will recover from her injuries.
Two youth suspects were identified by staff, although they cannot be named because of provisions within the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Both teens are known to police, McCreedy said.
One of the boys is described as 14 years old, Caucasian with black hair, about five-foot-two and 106 pounds. The second teen is 15 years old, Caucasian, five-foot-five and 120 pounds.
Police believe the boys fled the ranch in a rundown grey 2000 Chevrolet Silverado two-door truck with Alberta licence plate BFJ 5597. The truck is distinct in that it has a new driver’s-side door.
At least one weapon was used in the assault, but McCreedy said it is unknown if the boys still have it with them. Members of the public are advised not to approach the truck or suspects if they are spotted, but to instead contact police.
“We’re not sure if these guys are still armed, or what state they’re in. We don’t want the public at risk,” McCreedy said.
Elk Island Child and Youth Ranch offers treatment programs to minors who are covered under the Child and Youth Enhancement Act. The act deals with child welfare matters, and the ranch offers programs that range from therapy to life skills development.
Lamont is about 60 kilometres northeast of Edmonton.