Stratford police seeking youth suspects after assault

The Stratford Police Service is asking the public for help identifying and locating two youths who were allegedly involved in an assault in Stratford March 19.

On Wednesday, March 19 shortly before 12:30 a.m., the Stratford Police Service responded to a report of a man who had been assaulted by two youths who were possibly in possession of a firearm.

Stratford police and Perth County Paramedics located the victim on the railway tracks in the area of Erie Street and Monteith Avenue in the City of Stratford. The man had suffered an injury to his head and was transported to Stratford General Hospital.

Through investigation, police say the victim attended the area after hearing a disturbance along with what he believed were gun shots from an air soft pistol.

The victim located two youths who allegedly pointed the firearm at him and threatened to kill him. The victim attempted to walk away when one of the youths struck him in the back of the head with an unknown object, causing the victim to fall to the ground.

After the assault, police say the two youths fled the area, running west on the railway tracks.

An unknown passerby provided assistance to the victim, but left the area prior to police arrival.

The first youth was described as being a 16-year-old white male, approximately five feet tall with a slim build. He was wearing a black bandana as a facemask, had brown hair and was wearing a light-blue hoodie, light-blue jeans, and white running shoes. Police say this youth is believed to have been in possession of the firearm.

The second youth was described as being a 16-year-old white male, approximately five-foot eight inches tall with a slim build. He is described as having brown, medium-length hair, a brown, thin moustache and a stubble-like goatee. He was wearing a black t-shirt, blue jeans and white running shoes. This youth was reported to be carrying a scooter at the time of the incident.

At this time, the Stratford Police Service is looking for assistance from the public with identifying the two youths involved in this incident. If anyone has information, they are asked to contact Stratford police at 519-271-4141. Anyone with information who wants to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-888-222-TIPS or online at www.p3tips.com.

Police would also like to encourage the witness of this incident to come forward to provide a report of what occurred.