MEADOW LAKE — A 40-year-old woman arrested Monday and accused of punching two officers on Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation was released after appearing in Meadow Lake Provincial Court on Tuesday.
Rose Georgina Angus is now scheduled to appear in Loon Lake Circuit Court on Aug. 27 to enter a plea.
Angus was arrested early Monday in an incident that drew widespread attention when a video of part of her arrest circulated on Facebook. The footage, posted by a woman identified as her daughter, shows Angus with blood on her face after an officer is seen punching her face repeatedly during the arrest.
According to RCMP, the incident occurred early on July 27 when Loon Lake RCMP responded to a report of a drug-impaired person on a street on Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation. While en route at approximately 5 a.m., officers spotted a wanted man entering a nearby home.
Police said they arrested two wanted men without incident after speaking with occupants at the home. The men were identified as 30-year-old Lane Anthony Purves of Edmonton, who was wanted on a Swift Current RCMP warrant, and 28-year-old Rayden Joe Kytwayhat of Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation.
During the process, Angus became confrontational, and police allege, punched two officers. She left the entrance area, went down the stairs, and ignored police directions to stop moving. She was arrested outside.
Angus was taken to the RCMP detachment, where EMS treated her for what police described as minor injuries.
RCMP said the force used during the arrest was reasonable. Following an initial review that included body-worn camera footage, Saskatchewan RCMP determined the actions of the officers were justified under Section 25 of the Criminal Code, which allows officers to use force in the lawful execution of their duties.
Angus faces two counts of assaulting a police officer, two counts of resisting arrest, as well as obstructing a police officer and possession of cocaine.
ljoy@sasktoday.ca
