The RCMP say that 31-year-old Daniel Charles Rinquinha is in custody in connection to a brutal assault that left the owner of the Kitimat Hotel in serious condition.
Police say the male, formerly of Kitimat and now a resident of Alberta, has been charged with aggravated assault.
At around 5:30 a.m. on March 17, police and ambulance were called to a report of an unconscious woman laying outside of the Kitimat Hotel. Witnesses at the scene directed the RCMP north from the hotel where people say the suspect allegedly ran into a wooded area.
RCMP officers used foot prints in the snow to track the suspect down and he was quickly apprehended.
As of today, March 19, Rinquinha remains in custody pending further court appearances in Terrace.
The 50-year-old victim was taken to the hospital for treatment of severe head trauma and broken facial bones, and she remains in hospital.
The RCMP say they would like to speak with anyone with information or more witnesses who have not yet spoken with the police. The local detachment's number is 250-632-7111.
At Monday night's council meeting, staff sergeant Phil Harrison added words of commendation for those who assisted officers that night.
"I want to thank the local taxi drivers because they assisted us in apprehending the [suspect]," he said. "I appreciate their help."
(Corrected from earlier version which stated the incident was at 5 p.m.)