A 20-year-old woman is believed to be in immediate danger after she was “violently removed” from her home in Pimicikamak Cree Nation by a 39-year-old man in a case of intimate partner violence, Manitoba RCMP say.
They issued a dangerous person alert just after 11 a.m. Thursday for Joshua Paupanekis, 39, after the abduction of Raeanne Thomas, 20.
Around 5:40 a.m., Cross Lake RCMP responded to a report of an aggravated assault at a residence in the community, about 530 kilometres north of Winnipeg.
Paupanekis went into a home and hit a 24-year-old man with a hammer, according to RCMP.
They say Paupanekis, who also had a knife, then abducted Thomas from the residence. RCMP said Paupanekis was last seen running away with Thomas.
Police believe she is in immediate danger.
Paupanekis’s mother, Kimberlee Johnson, told CBC News in a statement she is praying Raeanne is safe.
“She is such a sweet girl,” Johnson said. “I hope my son sees he’s not only hurting me and his family but Raeanne’s family is hurting more, because not knowing is very hard.
“If he does love her he wouldn’t hurt her.”
RCMP Sgt. Paul Manaigre confirmed Paupanekis and Thomas either are or were in a relationship with each other.
“You’re looking at a case here of intimate partner violence. She’s violently removed from the home. With what intention? We do not know,” Manaigre said in an interview with CBC’s Up To Speed.
“The concern is where is she now, or is she safe? Has she been harmed?”
While RCMP are concentrating their search efforts in Pimicikamak, it is possible Paupanekis has fled the community, police said in an updated news release on Thursday afternoon.
“If he was able to get a vehicle, he’d have time to possibly leave the community. The winter road is accessible right now, and then if he gets on the Highway 6 … he can be anywhere,” Manaigre said.
Multiple police units have been searching Pimicikamak for Thomas and Paupanekis, with officers going door-to-door. Additional officers from Winnipeg are also in the community, RCMP said.
“Hopefully people have information where he is. Hopefully by finding him, we find her,” Manaigre said.
Thomas weighs about 115 pounds, and has brown hair and brown eyes, police said.
Paupanekis is six feet tall and weighs about 185 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He is considered armed and dangerous, and should not be approached, police said.
Pimicikamak Chief David Monias is urging residents to remain at home or in a secure location, keeping any movement outside to essentials while RCMP investigate.
RCMP are asking anyone with information on Paupanekis’s or Thomas’s whereabouts to contact the Cross Lake detachment at 204-676-2600.
