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Lethbridge Police issue arrest warrants for two men in connection with kidnapping, assault

Oct 10, 2017 | 1:29 PM

LETHBRIDGE – Arrest warrants have been issued by Lethbridge Police for two men in connection with an incident last month where a local man was assaulted, and kidnapped.

On September 10,  according to police, five men entered a home along 1200 block of 22 Street North looking for another man. The person they were looking for wasn’t there, but an acquaintance of his was so they began to interrogate him.

The group then assaulted the 28-year-old man and forced him outside into a vehicle. The men drove to a second residence along Jerry Potts Boulevard, and when they arrived the group forced the victim to go knock on the door to the home.

Once the door was opened, the group rushed inside. One of the men grabbed a woman by the throat and forced her into a wall, while another armed with a baseball bat searched the home.

When they didn’t find the man they were looking for, the group fled the scene and returned to the home on the north side where a short time later the 28-year-old was able to escape.

After further investigation, police identified two suspects who were charged and had warrants issued for their arrest.

26-year-old Bisrat Seyum Hailu, and 23-year-old Ruairi Joseph McGinnity, both of Lethbridge, are each charged with kidnapping-confinement, assault with a weapon and housebreaking with intent.

Police ask the public not approach these men if they see them, instead they want anyone with information on the whereabouts of Hailu and McGinnity to contact them at 403-328-4444 or Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-8477. Anonymous tips can also be submitted online at www.tipsubmit.com.

The investigation is ongoing to identify the other subjects involved.