La Ronge Man Implicated In Melfort Standoff

Monday, January 11, 2010 at 12:57

A 26-year-old man from La Ronge is facing several charges following a home invasion and subsequent police standoff in Melfort on Saturday.

Philip Charles has been charged with aggravated assault, breaking and entering with intent, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and breach of probation.

Early Saturday morning, the RCMP received a complaint of a man walking down a street carrying a baseball bat.

The Mounties eventually learned that six individuals had forced their way into a residence and assaulted a male occupant with a bat.

The victim left the house and was treated for his injuries at the Melfort Hospital.

According to the RCMP, a woman and three children were able to leave the residence unharmed.

A man was later seen coming from the house and having an argument with a neighbour, eventually prompting a standoff with the RCMP.

Police ordered the evacuation of homes within a block of the house, and also blocked off traffic.

After unsuccessful attempts to contact the individuals inside the residence, police entered the home and arrested a man without incident.

A female youth was also arrested, but she has since been released on a charge of unlawfully being in a residence.

Charles is making his first court appearance today in Melfort.