The Saskatoon police hate crime unit is assisting with the investigation of an incident where a man damaged a gas line outside a church, as the act occurred at a religious institution. Authorities responded to reports on Saturday morning about a man using an axe to strike a gas line near a church in the 3400 block of Fairlight Drive. The incident took place in the Pacific Heights neighborhood, where Westside Pentecostal Church is located.
Patrol members were called to the scene around 10 a.m. after witnesses observed the man hitting the gas line with an axe. By the time officers arrived, the suspect had already fled the area. Fortunately, the attempts to sever the line were unsuccessful, and no injuries were reported, according to a police news release.
The suspect is described as a man between 25 and 35 years old with a dark goatee. He was last seen wearing a black jacket with a hood, grey sweatpants, and black running shoes with white socks. The hate crime unit is involved in the investigation due to the location being a religious gathering place.
This incident has raised concerns within the community, and police are urging anyone with information to come forward. The Saskatoon Star Phoenix continues to follow this story and provides updates as more details become available. Residents are reminded to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to local authorities.
