Wanted man tried to break through wall
Jason Long arrested nearly two weeks after victim confined and stabbed; charges could be upgraded
As Hamilton police surrounded a Barton Street East apartment building Tuesday night, waiting for a warrant to enter and arrest Jason Long, police allege the 27-year-old was attempting to break through an apartment wall into a neighbouring unit.
“He was not successful,” said Det. Sgt. Peter Thom of the major crime unit.
After an hours-long standoff, police arrested Long, who had been wanted for nearly two weeks for attempted murder in the Feb. 10 stabbing of a 30year-old Hamilton man.
The victim remains in hospital, his prognosis grim. Police say Long and his co-accused Madeleine Peternel — also known by the last name Divers — are warned their charges will be upgraded to first-degree murder if the victim dies.
A third unidentified suspect, a man who allegedly jumped out the window when police arrived at the stabbing scene, is also expected to face similar charges, Thom said.
On Tuesday night when police arrested Long on Barton Street East and Westinghouse Avenue, they also arrested a woman who has been charged with accessory after the fact. However, Thom said Jamie Lee McMaster is not alleged to be part of the stabbing — she is a friend of Long’s. On the night of the stabbing, Thom said Long was last seen near McMaster’s apartment at Barton and Westinghouse. Police warned her Long was wanted and that she should not harbour him.
Detectives allege both she and Long knew he was wanted and tried to evade police.
It’s not clear how long Long was in that apartment unit and whether he bounced around to different locations while on the run. But Thom said he believes Long had been there at least several days before his arrest.
On the night of the stabbing, the victim went to Peternel’s apartment at 646 Main St. E. around 11 p.m. Thom alleges three people inside the apartment knew he was coming and were waiting.
Once inside, the victim was confined, assaulted, robbed of jewelry and stabbed multiple time with more than one weapon, he said. The motive for the attack, which lasted 15 to 20 minutes, is not clear.
A neighbour who heard a loud disturbance called 911, but when police arrived, Peternel and Long were not there and the victim’s car had been stolen, Thom said.
Two men inside the apartment jumped out the window and ran. One is the unidentified suspect, the other is a man who police believe arrived after the stabbing began. He was arrested near the scene and released unconditionally; he’s considered a witness.
The victim’s car, an Acura, was recovered two days later, on Feb. 12, near King Street East and Connaught Avenue.
Police allege Peternel and Long were identified on video footage from the crime scene.
Several weapons have been seized by police.
Hamilton police continue to investigate. Anyone with information on this case is asked to call Det. Daryl Reid of the major crime unit at 905-546-3825. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-2228477 or crimestoppershamilton.com.