The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba (IIU) is investigating after two men were seriously injured during a Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) pursuit and arrest in the Rural Municipality of West St. Paul.
On Sept. 19, police received a report at about 3:35 a.m. of two suspects breaking into a construction trailer on Ken Oblik Drive in Winnipeg. WPS said its AIR1 helicopter located the men fleeing in a stolen vehicle.
The aircraft followed the vehicle north to the Perimeter Highway and Pipeline Road, where officers attempted to use a stop stick. The effort was unsuccessful, and AIR1 later returned to the airport to refuel.
At about 4:14 a.m., the suspects’ vehicle left a gravel road near Holmes Road and Poneida Road, rolled into the ditch and came to a stop. Police arrested the men at the scene.
Both suspects were taken to Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg. One man was treated and released. The other sustained spinal fractures.
Because serious injuries were involved, the IIU is mandated to investigate under provincial regulation.
Anyone with information or video footage that could help the investigation is asked to call the IIU toll-free at 1-844-667-6060.
The investigation is ongoing and no further details have been released.
