12-year-old charged after child bear sprayed in Hamilton

A 12-year-old faces several charges after a child was bear sprayed and items were stolen from a Canadian Tire in Hamilton.

Emergency crews were called to Upper Ottawa Street and Rymal Road for an assault with a weapon shortly after 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7, Hamilton Police said.

Officers found that an 8-year-old child had been bear sprayed by two male youths, police said.

Police said there was also a break-and-enter report at nearby Canadian Tire at 2 a.m. on the same day.

Bear spray was stolen, police said.

After the bear-spray incident, an 11-year-old and a 12-year-old were found nearby and arrested, police added.

The identities of both youths are protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act and cannot be released.

The 11-year-old cannot be criminally charged, as individuals must be at least 12 years of age to be held criminally responsible in Canada. He was released into the care of a parent.

The 12-year-old has been charged with break and enter, possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, assault with a weapon, administer a noxious thing, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and carrying a concealed weapon.

The 12-year-old also faces charges in connection with a break-and-enter at a vape store on July 1. Thousands of dollars’ worth of vape products were stolen, police said.

The investigation into the vape shop break-and-enter remains ongoing, and investigators believe additional suspects were involved.

Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact the Hamilton Police Service BEAR Unit at 905-546-2991.

For those who wish to provide information anonymously, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or at Crime Stoppers Hamilton’s website.

Lead photo: Yellowstone National Park