Woman Accused of Chasing Victims with Hammer Arrested

A 28-year-old woman from Connecticut is facing several charges following a series of reported assaults and property damage incidents in Guelph’s south end. Police say 10 people reported encounters between May 25 and June 7, including incidents where victims were allegedly approached without provocation. The woman was arrested Tuesday after officers recognized her while responding to an unrelated call.

An American woman has been arrested following a number of recent assaults and property damage reports in Guelph’s south end.

Between May 25 and June 7, 10 different people reported interactions with the woman in parks and nearby neighbourhoods. These interactions included physical assaults involving people being approached without provocation and being shoved or having their feet stomped on. On at least two occasions the subject brandished a hammer and chased victims with it. Two of the victims also reported their vehicle being damaged during an altercation with the woman.

The victims included males and females and ranged in age from 12 to 73.

Due to the number of reports the Guelph Police Service issued a media release earlier this week in an attempt to identify the woman. On Tuesday officers attending an unrelated call for service in the south end recognized the woman and placed her under arrest. While at the police station she threw a shirt at an officer and attempted to punch the officer.

Investigation revealed the woman arrived in Guelph to visit family two days before the first reported incident.

A 28-year-old Connecticut woman is charged with three counts of assault with a weapon, five counts of assault, two counts of carrying a concealed weapon, assaulting a police officer, possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose and mischief under $5,000. She was held for a bail hearing Wednesday. (Occurrence number GU26037800)