UPDATE: Teen looking to buy phone in Regina kidnapped, sexually assaulted

She met him to buy a phone they talked about online, but hours later, the 17-year-old was in the Regina General Hospital after fleeing from the trunk of her own car.

Police arrived to learn more about a sexual assault.

It’s alleged the two met up in a Glencairn parking lot on Tuesday night about the sale of a phone. They had discussed it using social media. When he got in her car, he threatened her with a knife, forcing her to give up her vehicle. He drove them outside of Regina and sexually assaulted her before putting her in the truck of her car. He drove back into the city, stopping at a red light when she was able to escape the trunk.

Kohl Alexander Elder, 19, was later arrested and charged with sexual assault, kidnapping, attempted murder, armed robbery, possession of stolen property, and other offenses.

“Like many others in our city we are very concerned about this event. This is a complex case,” Superintendent Corey Zaharuk said as he spoke to the media Thursday afternoon. “Once again, what’s important for our city to remember is that a male has been charged. He is in custody.”

At this point in the investigation, police aren’t seeking another suspect.

He detailed how the 17-year-old escaped the trunk by manipulating the latch. She is now recovering from her injuries, which Zaharuk described as serious.

Elder was arrested at a residence in the 1800 block of Forget Street about five hours after the girl showed up at the Regina General Hospital. Part of his charges included not complying with his probation order, a probation for another violent offence, the superintendent said.

During Zaharuk’s comments, he revealed that the two were not total strangers. While the victim and accused did not know each other well, he explained, they were acquainted in some form.

He’s also choosing not to offer any public tips so that another incident like this is avoided in the future.

“It’s important to not speculate on what a victim might have done differently if anything at all. I don’t want to potentially infer any victim blaming. There is no room for that,” he clarified.

Investigation also revealed another weapon may have been involved in the crime, which Zaharuk believes is either a firearm or an air soft gun. They aren’t sure if it’s a replica or the real thing, so they’ve sent it off to be analyzed.

Elder made his first court appearance on the charges Thursday morning. He’ll be back in court on Tuesday.