A case of extreme domestic violence in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu: the ex-spouse actively sought by the police

Police are actively looking for a 26-year-old Montreal man who kidnapped his ex-partner before trying to kill her by throwing her car into the Richelieu River, in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.

According to our information, the suspect in this sordid affair is Abdennour Maalala, 26 years old.

The latter allegedly showed up at the home of his 23-year-old ex-partner early Friday morning in Mont-Royal, on the island of Montreal. Maalala allegedly sneakily attacked her in the interior garage of the apartment building and violently beat her, as she was preparing to leave for work.

He then allegedly placed his semi-conscious ex-partner in the back seat of his vehicle and took the road to the South Shore of Montreal.

Around 6:25 a.m., Abdennour Maalala was driving on Chemin des Patriotes Est, in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, when he intentionally left the road to throw the vehicle into the river.

Several residents in the area then contacted 911 to report the event.

Unable to reach the half-submerged car which was about twenty meters from the bank, the police called the firefighters.

They had to use a boat to get to the car and save its occupant.

The young woman had injuries, suffered from hypothermia and was in shock. She was rushed to hospital, but her life is not believed to be in danger.

Abdennour Maalala would have managed to swim back to the bank and flee.

A roadblock was erected not far from the crime scene, on Chemin des Patriotes. A police officer was busy Friday morning inspecting each of the vehicles and taking a look in the rear trunk, in the event that the suspect was there.

The backyards of residences in the area, as well as sheds, were also checked by the police.

At the same time, Montreal police established a security perimeter around the residential building where the 23-year-old young woman was kidnapped, on Athlone Road. Tenants of the building were met by the police early in the afternoon.

According to our information, the victim had just broken up with Abdennour Maalala and the latter would not have accepted the separation.