On Tuesday evening, a woman was sexually assaulted and robbed after agreeing to give a young man a ride to Carcross Corner.
The man approached the woman at a residence on Annie Lake Road and asked her for a ride under the pretence his vehicle had broken down, said Sgt. Ross Milward on Thursday.
En route, the man threatened the woman with a knife, demanded money and sexually assaulted her.
When the van approached Carcross Corner, the woman opened the sliding door and bailed out, said Milward.
At approximately 9:49 p.m., she called the Whitehorse RCMP from a nearby residence.
The RCMP immediately located the suspect vehicle and engaged in a pursuit on Mt. Sima Road.
Soon after, the suspect abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.
As he attempted to climb up a steep bank, a police dog apprehended him without further incident, said Milward.
“We had the guy in custody within half an hour,” he said.
The victim was taken to Whitehorse General Hospital, treated and released.
Charles Robert Stewart, 22, of Whitehorse has been charged with aggravated sexual assault without a firearm, robbery, forcible confinement, theft over $5,000, driving while disqualified, flight from police, dangerous driving, resisting arrest, two counts of breach of recognizance and two counts of breach of probation.
In light of this recent incident, citizens should be vigilant when answering the door, especially in country settings or if you are home alone, said Milward.
Females are more susceptible, he added.
“Most of us like to believe the best in people,” he said.
“But then he turned on her.”