A report of a woman possibly being beaten in an alley lead to the arrest of a 43-year-old Nanaimo man Tuesday.
Police responded shortly before 4 p.m. after receiving a complaint that a woman was possibly being beaten, kicked and dragged by a man in an alley near the corner of Fifth Street and Hillcrest Avenue, according to a Nanaimo RCMP press release.
Mounties found an unconscious woman lying on the ground and then spotted a man who appeared to be hiding in some bushes nearby, who then ran from police. They called an ambulance for the woman, which took her to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, and then called a police services dog team to track down the suspect.
After a chase through backyards and over fences, police dog Boomer and his handler Const. Clay Wurzinger apprehended Christopher Michael Dewitt who was also taken to hospital to be treated for several dog bites he received while allegedly trying to flee from Boomer.
The woman did not suffer serious injuries and was released after several hours in hospital, but may have ingested GHB, also known as the date rape drug. A milk jug found at the scene contained liquid suspected of being GHB, according to police.
Dewitt is being held in custody for breaching bail conditions. Charges were sworn against him Wednesday morning for breaching orders that he not have contact with the woman found in the alley and that he not possess or consume alcohol or drugs.