The following is a summary of police activity in the Central Plains Area (Portage la Prairie, Treherne, Amaranth and the surrounding Rural Municipalities). The reporting dates are between 2018-03-26 and 2018-04-01. During this time period police responded to 292 calls for service.

 

THEFT AT HOSPITAL

On March 26th, the Portage la Prairie RCMP were informed of a theft of purse from the waiting room of the Portage District General Hospital. Police were able to identify the suspect as a 29-year-old male from Portage la Prairie. A warrant for the arrest of the suspect has been issued, but officers are still attempting to locate him prior to making his identity known to the public. Investigators are asking that the suspect turn himself in as soon as possible.


SPEEDING

On March 27th, a motorist was observed travelling at 150 km/h in a 110 km/h zone in the RM of Portage la Prairie. The 69-year-old female driver was issued a fine in the amount of $573.00.

On March 30th, a motorist was observed travelling at 136 km/h in a 100 km/h zone near the City of Portage la Prairie. The 23-year-old male driver was issued a fine in the amount of $521.00.

On March 31st, a motorist was observed travelling at 143 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on Hwy 1 in the RM of Portage la Prairie. The 45-year-old male driver was issued a fine in the amount of $613.00.


3 FEMALE YOUTHS ARRESTED FOR STOLEN VEHICLE

On March 29th, shortly after 5:00 a.m. the Portage la Prairie RCMP observed a suspicious vehicle driving without its lights on. When police attempted to stop the vehicle it took off at a high rate of speed over the Tupper Street Bridge. Police stopped pursuing the vehicle immediately, but it continued northbound onto PR 240. The vehicle was eventually located a few miles north of the city, but had been abandoned by the occupants. Police Dog Services (PDS) were called to assist investigators with locating the suspects, as officers had now determined that the vehicle was stolen. PDS would eventually find three female youths a short distance from the vehicle. All were arrested for possession of property obtained by crime, and held in police custody until later that same day. All three will appear in court at a later date.

IMPAIRED DRIVING

On March 29th, shortly before noon a concerned motorist notified the Portage la Prairie RCMP of an erratic driver on Hwy 1 nearing the city. Another motorist would call in the same vehicle, as it was now driving into oncoming traffic on the city streets. Officers would locate the vehicle on Royal Road near Saskatchewan Avenue. It did not take investigators long to determine that the 67-year-old female driver was under the influence of alcohol. She was arrested for impaired operation of a motor vehicle and taken into police custody. The driver’s breath samples were well over the legal limit, and her driver’s license was suspended for a minimum of three months. The vehicle was towed and impounded for a minimum of 30 days at the owner’s expense.


POSSESSION OF STOLEN PROPERTY & OBSTRUCTION OF OFFICER

March 30th, at 12:26 p.m. the Portage la Prairie RCMP were called to the Husky gas station, as a male was inside the convenience store acting very suspicious, and potentially carrying a weapon. Officers would locate a 29-year-old male walking away from the store on foot, who matched the description of the suspect. In speaking with the male, he provided investigators with a name and continued to behave in an erratic manner, as he was also clearly under the influence of an intoxicating substance. In speaking with the male, investigators noticed a hand tool which was down the front of his pants. Given his erratic behaviour and his level of intoxication, the male was arrested at this point, and taken into police custody. Officers would then discover stolen property on the suspect’s person, as well as the fact that he had provided a false identity to police in order to evade capture. The male was held in police custody until such time as he could be brought before the court, charged with possession of property obtained by crime and obstruction of a police officer.


NEIGHBOURHOOD VEHICLES EGGED ON EASTER WEEKEND

On March 31st, Portage la Prairie RCMP received several calls from property owners around the city, who awoke that morning to find their vehicles and homes had been egged. Officers noted at least 3 vehicles and a home which were vandalized. Police wish to remind those responsible that their actions are criminal, and that should they be caught, they will be held accountable.


REFUSAL TO PROVIDER BREATH SAMPLE

On April 1st, Portage la Prairie RCMP learned of a potential impaired driver nearing the city. The suspect’s vehicle was stopped on 5th Avenue NW, where the 29-year-old male driver was adamant that he had not consumed any alcohol that night. When officers asked that he provide samples of his breath to a roadside screening device, he refused to do so. The driver was arrested for refusing to provide a breath sample, and held in police custody for a short period of time. His driver’s license was suspended for a minimum of three months, and the vehicle was towed and impounded for a minimum of 60 days at the owner’s expense. The driver will appear before the court at a later date.

 

March 26th: 46 calls for service
March 27th: 46 calls for service
March 28th: 30 calls for service
March 29th: 33 calls for service
March 30th: 32 calls for service
March 31st: 62 calls for service
April 1st 39: calls for service

  • 159 Traffic violations 
  • 17 Provincial statutes (Mental Health Act, Child Welfare Act, Coroner’s Act, 911 Act, etc.)
  • 6 Crimes against person
  • 21 Crimes against property
  • 36 Other Criminal Investigations
  • 53 Other Police Activities (False Alarms, Suspicious Person/Vehicle, Assistance Given, etc.)

 

If you have any information that could lend assistance in the investigation of these crimes or others, please contact your local RCMP, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) and www.manitobacrimestoppers.com . Tips leading to the identification of suspects or the return of stolen property could receive cash awards.