UPDATED: Froese will face serious charges, police say
Police have finally confirmed a notorious serial rapist has been arrested in connection with a North Kamloops kidnapping and sexual assault earlier this week — and, according to the city's top cop, Jack Froese will be facing a long list of serious charges.
At a news conference this morning, Kamloops RCMP Supt. Yves Lacasse confirmed police have laid a six-count information against Froese, including charges of sexual assault with threat of a weapon, aggravated assault with a weapon, uttering threats, kidnapping and theft of vehicle.
Froese was arrested yesterday morning at the Valleyview home he's lived in with family since his release from a federal prison in May.
The 31-year-old, who has a long history of violent sexual offences, is accused in connection with a violent kidnapping and sexual assault on Wednesday afternoon.
Police allege Froese — who corrections officials had previously labelled a high risk to re-offend — abducted a 39-year-old female employee of a Tranquille Road adult store at about 3:30 p.m. that day.
The woman turned up six hours later on the doorstep of a Westmount home and was rushed to hospital.
It's alleged Froese kidnapped the woman, stole her truck and sexually assaulted her. It's unclear whether she was released by her attacker, or if she escaped.
The truck was found at a Batchelor Heights apartment building.
Lacasse called the incident "horrific," and said Froese was a concern for local police since he arrived in the community six months ago.
"He's currently in custody, and we're happy for that," he said, adding that officers "checked" Froese 146 times in the 147 days he was living in Kamloops.
"But there's still a lot of work to be done."
Lacasse wouldn't comment on the ongoing investigation, and what specifically remains to be done.
He also wouldn't shed much light on the injuries suffered by the victim, and asked that she be given privacy.
"She did suffer some injuries," he said.
"I'm not going to go into any detail about the extent of her injuries right now."
Some media have identified the victim by name. Lacasse asked that she not be named.
When sexual assault charges are approved by the Crown in any case, there is an automatic publication ban on the name of the victim.
Froese's charges have not yet been approved by the Crown.
He's been charged only by the police, and has been remanded by a justice of the peace until Monday.
As the investigation is still ongoing, Lacasse said there's still a chance Froese could face additional charges.
He's expected to appear in Kamloops provincial court early next week.
In the meantime, police ask anyone who saw or had contact with Froese on Tuesday or Wednesday of this week to contact the Kamloops RCMP's serious crime unit at 250-828-3000, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
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