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 #2016-09-19 and 2016-09-25. During this time period police responded to: 363 calls for service

  • 156 Traffic violations
  • 137 Traffic Offences (Highway Traffic Act)
  • 10 Vehicle Collisions
  • 9 Impaired Drivers
  • 41 Provincial statutes (Mental Health Act, Child Welfare Act, Coroner’s Act, 911 Act, etc.)
  • 18 Crimes against person
  • 9 Assaults
  • 3 Assault with Weapon or Causing Bodily Harm
  • 6 Uttering Threats
  • 35 Crimes against property
  • 10 Thefts
  • 2 Theft of Motor Vehicles
  • 7 Break and Enters
  • 16 Mischiefs to Property
  • 58 Other Criminal Investigations
  • 55 Other Police Activities (False Alarms, Suspicious Person/Vehicle, Assistance Given, etc.)

Sept 19th 39 calls for service
Portage la Prairie residents have reported 30 incidents of stolen bicycles since May 1st of this year. Bicycles are an item that are easily stolen if not secured properly. If a serial number is not noted by the owner, it can be quite difficult for police to determine who rightfully owns the bike. Recovered bicycles are often turned over to the Portage la Prairie Fire Department, who hold an annual bike auction for the bicycles that are not claimed.

Sept 20th 57 calls for service
Portage la Prairie RCMP responded to an attempted break and enter to a residence in the 700 block of 1st Street NW. A resident call police after their dogs started barking aggressively. The resident found a screen on one window had been cut. Officers made patrols around the area, but were unable to locate anyone they believed was involved. Police remind everyone to lock doors and windows overnight, and keep exterior lights one. Brightly lit homes are less likely to be targeted by thieves who wish to remain hidden.

Sept 21st 40 calls for service
Portage la Prairie RCMP were called to a collision at Saskatchewan Avenue and 14 Street NE, where a truck and trailer left the roadway and struck the fencing around the MB Hydro compound. Property damage to the fencing and to the vehicle was the extent of this incident, with no serious injuries reported to police. No charges are pending at this time.
Residents from around Jacksons Lake in the RM of North Norfolk will be disappointed to hear that the decorative sign welcoming people to the recreation area has been stolen. The sign, measuring approximately 4 feet tall by 8 feet wide, says “Welcome to Jackson’s Lake”. Investigators and owners are asking for the assistance of the community in locating the sign, as it was obtained through fundraising. Anyone with information regarding this theft are encouraged to contact their local police detachment with its whereabouts. Anonymous tips can be made through Manitoba Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) and www.manitobacrimestoppers.com

Sept 22nd 68 calls for service
Portage la Prairie RCMP are asking for the assistance of the community in locating a stolen vehicle. The owner watched as an unidentified male stole their grey 2004 Kia Rio, last seen with Manitoba license plate FZA 887, from a driveway on 10th Street NW. The vehicle was not located by police despite extensive patrols of the city and surrounding area. The same vehicle was believed to have been used in an attempted theft of property in the RM of Portage la Prairie. If you see this vehicle, please provide your local police detachment with its whereabouts. Police remind everyone to lock your vehicles, and never, under any circumstances, leave the keys inside when unattended.

A motorist was observed travelling at 138 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on Hwy 1. The male driver (34 years old) was issued a fine in the amount of $548.25.

Portage la Prairie RCMP were called to Wal-Mart, after an incident of shoplifting. Employees saw at least one male and two female suspects hurriedly leave the store with several items. Police were given a description of a vehicle used to flee the area, which was quickly found by a patrolling officer. All three suspects were arrested and taken into custody for possession of stolen property. The male, Richard Freeman Houle (59 years old) was held in custody for this incident, as well as a warrant for his arrest. The two females involved were released from custody, set to appear before the courts at a later date.

Sept 23rd 72 calls for service
Portage la Prairie RCMP responded to several calls regarding a male youth, who was eventually arrested and held in custody. The youth was reportedly involved with threatening and assaulting another male with a baseball bat, shooting a small calibre firearm through a window, and threatening another person with a firearm. The youth was taken into police custody and remanded to appear before the courts on 10 criminal charges including several firearms related offences, which carry a heavy sentence if he’s found guilty.

Sept 24th 60 calls for service
Several MPI check stops were set up over the weekend throughout the city. Police officers from Portage la Prairie and the Westman Traffic Services could be found on several major thoroughfares in an attempt to get impaired drivers off the road. Two male drivers (37 and 29 years old) failed roadside screening test, and subsequently failed breath tests at the detachment. Their vehicles were towed and impounded for a minimum of 30 days at the owner’s expense. Also caught in the check stop were several unlicensed drivers and several unregistered vehicles.

Portage la Prairie RCMP have charged a male for arson with disregard to human life, and failing to comply with a probation order. After receiving a call of a disturbance in a home on Goodale Drive, police arrived on scene to find the home on fire. Luckily no one was found in the home, and the Portage Fire Department were able to extinguish the blaze. Michael Allan Starr (39 years old) was arrested shortly after the incident, and held in custody until he could appear for the court. Investigators are asking that anyone with knowledge of this incident contact their local police detachment. Anonymous tips can be made through Manitoba Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) and www.manitobacrimestoppers.com

Sept 25th 27 calls for service
Portage la Prairie RCMP responded to a single vehicle rollover on Road 59N, in the RM of North Norfolk. The vehicle, a black 2009 Dodge Calibre, with Manitoba license plate HJB 191, was found in the ditch 3 miles south of MacGregor. Investigators are hoping to speak with the owner of the vehicle, and asking that if anyone with knowledge of the incident contact their local police detachment.


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