A 27-year-old man was arrested after Sarnia police asked the public for tips following a violent home invasion on Exmouth Street.
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Officers were searching for a suspect after a 46-year-old man was punched, kicked, kneed and hit over the head with a TV during the invasion in an apartment about 3:15 am Wednesday. The intruder jumped onto the balcony and smashed a glass door to get in.
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He fled, apparently empty-handed, after being confronted by the resident. The resident suffered a large head laceration and cuts and scrapes to his hands and knees and was treated and released from hospital, police said.
Police said they were seeking a tall male suspect with an athletic build, last seen wearing a black baseball hat, gray hoodie-style sweatshirt, black jeans and shoes, and a distinct array of rings on three fingers on his right hand.
In an update Sunday, police said they received multiple tips and were able to identify the accused as John Keohan. Keohan, who was out on bail charged with multiple offenses. He was arrested Saturday and charged with break and enter with intent, mischief worth less than $5,000, assault causing bodily harm, and assault with a weapon, police said.
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He was held for a bail hearing, police said.
Keohan appeared in court Sunday by video link from Sarnia police headquarters. He was kept in custody and will return to court Monday. In the meantime, he’s banned from contacting the man who lives in the apartment.
Sarnia Police Chief Derek Davis said seemingly random attacks, including where the motives are unclear, are a critical public safety priority.
“Often these types of calls are rooted in complex mental health, addiction or social issues. While community safety and law enforcement remains our top priorities, (Sarnia police) will continue to collaboratively address underlying causes of crime and disorder through referrals, partnerships and facilitating access to community resources,” he said in the police statement Sunday.
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