A Stephenville man is facing a long list of serious charges after a string of violent crimes in the town this week.
The charges against 40-year-old James Malcolm Stagg include the following:
- Break and enter
- Two counts of robbery
- Two counts of uttering threats
- Three counts of assault with a weapon
- Sexual assault with a weapon
- Unlawful confinement
- Resist arrest
- Possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose
- Assault causing bodily harm
- Two counts of breach of probation
RCMP were called around 2 a.m. on Thursday following reports of a home invasion at an apartment on Oregon Drive.
Police say James Stagg reportedly forced his way into the apartment, assaulted and threatened a man inside, and robbed him at knifepoint. When the man left the apartment to get help, another person inside the apartment was sexually assaulted. Police say Stagg fled the scene before they arrived.
The K-9 unit was brought out, but failed to locate Stagg overnight. Police say he was later found around 11 a.m. in another apartment complex on Oregon Drive. He had barricaded himself inside the home with a woman and refused to leave.
While police attempted to negotiate with him, Stagg allegedly assaulted the woman inside. Officers forced their way into the apartment to intervene. Stagg fought with the officers and had to be tasered before taken into custody according to police.
RCMP later learned that another man, who was in the apartment before officers arrived, was also allegedly threatened, assaulted, and robbed by Stagg.
The accused appeared in court on Thursday and is being held in custody pending his next appearance November 23.
