Sexual assault suspect wanted for Sherbrook Street arson

A man suspected of committing a serious sexual assault last month now is wanted in connection with an arson that sent six people to hospital, including a newborn baby.

Police put out a call for help finding Leslie Reid Contois, 42, who is suspected in a serious sexual assault that happened on July 15.

Reid faces multiple charges connected to the incident, including sexual assault with a weapon, uttering threats and overcoming resistance by choking, suffocating or strangling.

Just over a week after the sexual assault, on July 28, emergency crews responded to a fire on Sherbrook Street near Ellice Avenue. Firefighters used a ladder truck to extinguish a fire on the roof of the building.

Six people were taken to hospital with smoke inhalation, including a newborn baby and a child under six. Two people were taken in unstable condition but recovered.

The fire caused approximately $1 million in damage.

Contois is accused of two counts of attempted murder, arson, forcible confinement, assault with a weapon, uttering threats and unlawfully committing bodily harm.

Police received "a number of tips" after they put out a call for help finding Contois following the first incident, but were unable to find him, Winnipeg Police Service spokesperson Const. Jay Murray said.

"Mr. Contois is believed to be transient in nature. We don't have a set address for this individual, so it's believed he could be anywhere in the city," he said.

Contois is approximately five feet, eleven inches, around 170 pounds, with a medium build, black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information can call 204-986-6219 or contact Crime Stoppers.