On December 6, 2015, shortly after midnight, Oakbank RCMP officers responded to a report of an assault that had just occurred in the 500 block of Main Street in Oakbank, Manitoba.
Initial police investigation revealed that while leaving a company Christmas celebration, a 29-year-old male from Oakbank was punched by another male with a closed fist. The victim immediately fell to the ground where he was then kicked several times. The suspect then proceeded to steal a pack of cigarettes from the victim before fleeing the scene.
Police say that the victim was treated for non-life threatening injuries and released. Officers believe this vicious assault was targeted.
As a result of further investigation, officers were led to a male suspect, 26-year-old Joseph Christopher Gatien of Winnipeg, who was arrested without incident.
RCMP report that Gatien has been charged with one count each of robbery and assault causing bodily harm. He has since been released from custody and is scheduled to appear in Beausejour Court on February 9, 2016.
