No sign of missing man connected to Amber Alert as police urge witness to come forward

Provincial police are asking for the public's help in finding another important witnessin connection with a Quebec Amber Alert case.

TheSretduQubecsay they need help identifying aman who was last seen in Rouyn-NorandaThursday overnight in the company of Ugo Fredette, who was arrested after a six-year-old Quebec boy went missing earlier this week.

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The man is considered to be an important witness related to ahomicidethat occurred inSaint-Eustacheon Thursday, which is also linked to the Amber Alert case, said police.

He is in his 40s with dark hair, a beard and blue eyes. He is five feet six inches tall and weighs 220 pounds.

Anyone with information is asked to contact 911 or 1-800-659-4264.

Search widens for YvonLacasse

Police say another witness came forward Sunday afternoon during their search for Yvon Lacasse, the missing 71-year-old man linked to the case.

Earlier Sunday, the SQhad asked for thepublic's help locating the witness,who was travelling by motorcycle on the stretch of road inLachute, Que. That is where police believeLacassehad his Honda CR-V taken from him by Fredette.

Sunday afternoon, about 200 people were combing the grounds togive a helping hand in search efforts.

Citizens between Lachuteand Rouyn-Noranda, Que., located about 600 kilometres north, should also be on the lookout forLacasse, said police.

They say he could still be missing because he may be injured and moving slowly.

"We are asking people, fishers, campers and residents, between Lachute and Rouyn-Noranda obviously it's big to pay special attention to ditches, to check yards and sheds," said SQ Sgt. Claude Denis.

Police said Lacasse could have been dropped off along the route north from Lachute, as Fredette is believed to have passed through Maniwaki and Rouyn-Noranda before entering Ontario.

Searching through the woods

Fredette's vehicle, awhite pickup truck, was found abandonednear theroadside rest stop where the SretduQubec set up their command post to search forLacassethis weekend.

ArgenteuilMNAYves St-Denis isLacasse'scousin. He's been helpingwith the search all weekend and maintains hopes Lacasse will be found alive.

• Police, canine units canvasLachutein hopes of findingYvonLacasse

"We're searching, we're searching with hope," St-Denis said.. "When we get in the woods like yesterday, we see something on the ground, we get all emotional."

Local police and volunteers were still combing the area Sunday night, but provincial police paused their operation, whichis expected to resume Monday, according to SQ Sgt. Claude Denis.

They say it's too soon to say if the searchperimeterwill be expanded into Ontario.

Lacasseis described as bald with brown eyes. He is fivefeet four inches tall and weighs around 155 pounds. Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or the anonymous hotline.

RAW VIDEO: Volunteers and provincial police search for Yvon Lacasse Sunday

7 years ago

Duration 0:31

Lacasse was reported missing Friday. Police searched Saturday and called the public to help them Sunday.

Fredette in hospital

The six-year-oldboy was transported overnight Friday back to Quebec,where he was placed under the care of provincial youth protection services.

• Quebec boy who was subject of Amber Alert found safe,Fredettein custody

Fredetteappeared at a bail hearing in Ontario by video on Saturday. The judge and Crown decided to release him into the custody of the SQ to answer any charges he would face in Quebec they decided those would take higher priority over charges in Ontario at this time. Police have not said what charges the man is facing.

The SQ had expected to take himinto custody.

Fredette sustained injuries between 2 and 3:30 p.m. Saturday, while in custody of the OPP, and required medical attention, Sgt. Carolle Dionne, the spokesperson for Ontario Provincial Police said.

He was transferred by ambulance to an Ontariohospital, but the nature of his injuries hasn't been released. Fredette remains in hospital.

• Man in Amber Alert case injured, transferred to Ontario hospital

The OPP has notified the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) aboutthe man's injuries the SIU works independently of police and conducts criminal investigations into circumstances involving police and civilians that resultin serious injury, death or allegations of sexual assault.

The SIU was monitoring Fredette's condition Saturday evening, SIU spokespersonJasonGennarosaid, and determined it didn't meet the threshold to invoke the SIU mandate.

The transfer back to Quebec has been delayed because of the injury. It's unknown when he'll return to Quebec.