Clyde River received a call for service at a residence on Dec. 18 at approximately 1:25 a.m, where they arrested a man, who they say resisted and disabled their snowmobile during a scuffle.

Subsequently, 36-year-old Jessie Iqalukjuak was charged with assault causing bodily harm, resisting arrest, mischief and escape from lawful custody. Iqalukjuak was subsequently released. His next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 24, 2025, in Clyde River, the stated in a Dec. 20 news release.

The police then attempted to walk the suspect to the local detachment, but as the male allegedly continued to resist and tried to escape from police custody, the Mounties were unable to prevail. Taking into consideration the deteriorating weather conditions from a blizzard, the officers decided to seek shelter and were assisted by a local resident, who agreed to house the officers and the person in custody. The police were then able to contact a local hamlet official and request assistance.

The hamlet official was able to get a heavy equipment operator to pick up one of the officers from the residence, and, by using a snow plow, drive him to the detachment to retrieve a police vehicle. The officer was able to return to the residence to pick up the other Mountie and the prisoner and bring them to the detachment.

After the storm, another local man assisted officers in repairing their snowmobile to working order.

The Clyde River extended thanks the Hamlet of Clyde River, the heavy equipment operator and the residents who assisted with providing shelter and fixing the snowmobile.