A Red Deer man accused of being involved in a pepper spray incident early Thursday that left dozens of bar-goers requiring treatment celebrated New Year’s behind bars.
Chol Achuil Chol, 24, made a brief appearance in Red Deer provincial court on Friday. He is charged with four counts of assault with a weapon and one count of possession of a prohibited weapon.
Murray Shack, a Legal Aid lawyer, represented Chol and confirmed that the Crown prosecutor’s office was opposed to Chol’s release from custody.
Judge Darrell Riemer ordered Chol to return to court on Tuesday for a bail hearing.
Chol, who was dressed in blue coveralls, showed no signs of the injuries inflicted by a police dog during his arrest that required hospital treatment.
RCMP say three males arrived at Branley’s Night Club in the city’s north end about 1:50 a.m. and two were not let in by bouncers.
One man was allowed in but was confronted by bouncers because he was carrying an open liquor bottle.
Police allege he then pulled out pepper spray and sprayed the bouncers before taking off.
About 40 bar patrons were treated at the scene by fire-medics for exposure to the inside the club at 6879 50th Ave.
Within minutes of that incident, police got another call that someone had been pepper sprayed at a nearby residence. RCMP were soon on scene and determined that the same three suspects were involved.
The three fled out the back door of the residence when police arrived.
An officer chased them on foot to a nearby wooded area where Chol was arrested.
In the aftermath of the bar incident, a number of people involved left.
Police ask that any of the patrons treated for pepper spray at the nightclub contact RCMP at 403-343-5575 to provide a statement.
pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com