The Manitoba RCMP is urging victims of crimes to not take matters into their own hands after a number of recent incidents.

"Officers from the Headingly detachment reached out to me basically with the concern that they have had a few incidents where thefts were reported," Sergeant Paul Manaigre of the RCMP says. 

Manaigre says the victims of thefts were calling the police while in the midst of chasing after suspects.

The RCMP says this has resulted in the owners chasing the suspects in vehicles down various gravel roads and, in one instance, being involved in a collision.

"If confronted, these individuals may also use violence to evade capture and there is always a possibility that they are armed."

“While we understand that the theft of personal property is extremely frustrating, we cannot stress enough the danger to you and others of chasing suspects and engaging in this high-risk activity,” says Manaigre.

"Chasing vehicles could have very serious consequences and places you and other members of the public at risk. If confronted, these individuals may also use violence to evade capture and there is always a possibility that they are armed."

Manaigre adds that once a witness involves themselves by pursuing the suspect, they complicate the investigation and become a concern to police.

"It just throws a few variables in there that we have to keep in the back of our mind when we respond," Manaigre says.

The RCMP urges anyone who witnesses a crime in progress to report it immediately to police from a safe location.

"The best action is to try and get as much information as possible," says Manaigre.

"What were they driving? What was the plate? Did they leave in a vehicle? Did you get a description? People don't realize how much by looking for a few seconds how much information you can get and really to us. And call immediately, not wait two or three hours."