Yesterday afternoon had RCMP on a manhunt from Winnipeg and beyond with a roadblock and K-9 Unit that ended with an overdose.

A media release by the RCMP stated that the Beausejour District responded to a call of a suspicious person driving in the area of Mazur Avenue in the town around 2:20 p.m.

After checking the license plate, it showed that the vehicle was stolen out of Winnipeg.

The stolen vehicle had stopped in a parking lot on Selch Street in the town and an officer drove up to the vehicle with the emergency lights on. The officer was about to step out of the vehicle when the driver reversed and hit the police vehicle and drove away. The officer was not physically harmed.

The same release shared that the Lac Du Bonnet RCMP were notified once the suspect vehicle took off in their direction and a roadblock was set up on Highway 15, in the R.M. of Whitemouth. 

"The suspect vehicle stopped at the roadblock and officers spoke with the driver in an attempt to get him to turn off the vehicle and exit, however, he refused and fled."

In advanced preparation, officers also laid out a spike belt, which the suspect vehicle drove over, allowing police to track the vehicle which was found abandoned beside a river in Elma.

The area was closed off and under police control while RCMP Police Dog Services searched for the suspect. Police Service Dog, Mocha, found the suspect in a shed on a rural property in an attempt to hide. However, once found, the suspect appeared to be suffering from an overdose and officers had to administer Naloxone, a medication used to reverse the effects of opioids, and perform first aid until Emergency Medical Services arrived. 

The male was transported to the hospital and released after treatment.

The suspect was revealed to be a 26-year-old male from the R.M. of St. Clements and is facing several charges, including:

  • Possession of property obtained by crime
  • Fail to stop after an accident
  • Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
  • Fail or refusal to comply with demand (drugs)
  • Operation of a motor vehicle while impaired
  • Fail to comply with release order

He will also be facing numerous offenses under the Highway Traffic Act.

The RCMP is continuing to investigate.