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 May 15 and May 21, 2017. During this time period police responded to: 297 calls for service.

SPIKE BELT ENDS HIGH SPEED CHASE
At 5:17 a.m., on May 21, the Portage la Prairie RCMP received a call of a potential impaired driver on PR 240. The suspect’s vehicle was seen by police in Portage la Prairie, but refused to stop when officers activated their lights and sirens. The driver continued to drive at high speeds as they fled police, who pursued the drive along Hwy 50 towards Langruth. Before the driver was able to enter the community police were able to deploy a ‘spike belt’ which brought the pursuit to an end. A male youth (17 years old) was arrested for impaired operation of a motor vehicle and operating a motor vehicle while pursued by police. The driver is now before the courts on multiple driving offences, both criminal and provincial.

DUMPSTER FIRES
Portage la Prairie RCMP were notified of a dumpster fire on Royal Road N May 16, which had been lit overnight and was now extinguished. Police are concerned for the safety of the public as unattended fires can lead to property damage, injury or loss of life. If you see an unattended fire, dial 9-1-1 immediately.
Portage la Prairie RCMP were called to more dumpsters on fire behind Bill’s Sticky Fingers and RBC May 21. Portage Fire were able to extinguish both fires, but police were not able to locate any suspects in the area. Due to the continuing risk to public safety, investigators are asking that the community call police immediately if they see any suspicious behaviour around dumpsters. Police will be increasing their patrols of areas where dumpsters are known to be used. If you have information who is behind these acts of arson, please contact the Portage la Prairie RCMP at 204-857-4445. Anonymous tips can be made through Manitoba Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) and www.manitobacrimestoppers.com

HOUSE FIRE UNDER INVESTIGATION
Shortly after 7:00 PM the Portage la Prairie RCMP were informed of house fire near the 100 block of 8th Street NW May 20. No one was inside the home at the time of the blaze, which Portage Fire were able to extinguish before it consumed the entire building. Due to the fire’s suspicious nature, the Office of the Fire Commissioner was contacted, and are currently investigating the cause of the fire. Investigators are asking that anyone with knowledge of this blaze contact the Portage la Prairie RCMP at 204-857-4445. Anonymous tips can be made through Manitoba Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) and www.manitobacrimestoppers.com

VEHICLES STOLEN
Portage la Prairie RCMP are asking for the assistance in locating a vehicle which was stolen from a work site near Hwy 350 between May 13th and May 15th. The white 2006 GMC Sierra extended cab pick-up truck was last seen with Manitoba license plate CDY 360. Investigators are asking that if you see this vehicle you contact your local police detachment with its location. For your safety do not approach anyone in this vehicle.
Portage la Prairie RCMP are asking for the assistance of the community in identifying suspects involved in the theft of a pick-up truck from the Spruce Bay area . A white 2010 GMC Sierra was stolen from a home in Portage la Prairie on May 17th around 10:27 PM, and found burnt near Long Plain First Nation on May 22nd. Investigators are asking that if you know who was responsible for the theft, or the arson to the vehicle, that you contact the Portage la Prairie RCMP at 204-857-4445. Anonymous tips can be made through Manitoba Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) and www.manitobacrimestoppers.com . Tips leading to the arrest and prosecution of those involved could receive cash awards.

DRUNK DRIVERS CAUGHT
Treherne RCMP were called to Tallboys Bar and Grill in St. Claude for a disturbance in the parking lot of the establishment May 18. While on their way to the call officers learned that many of the suspects had fled the area in a red car. The vehicle was located on Hwy 2 at Hwy 34, where officers pulled the vehicle over. Once in contact with the male driver (58 years old) investigators quickly realized that he was under the influence of alcohol. The driver was arrested for impaired operation of a motor vehicle, and at least one passenger in the vehicle was arrested for causing a disturbance. The driver’s subsequent breath samples were almost double the legal limit. The vehicle was towed and impounded for a minimum of 30 days at the owner’s expense.

Portage la Prairie RCMP were called to the area of Westbourne shortly after 6:00 a.m. May 19, as the caller was concerned that another motorist might be under the influence of alcohol while behind the wheel. Police were updated that the suspect’s vehicle had struck the ditch, and was found a short time later, with the male driver (55 years old) displaying several signs of intoxication. The driver was arrested for impaired operation of a motor vehicle, and his subsequent breath samples were over double the legal limit. The vehicle was towed and impounded for a minimum period of 60 days at the owner’s expense.

Portage la Prairie RCMP responded to a single vehicle collision near PCI, shortly before 3:00 a.m. May 21. When police arrived on scene they found a car had left the roadway and struck a fence near the school. The female driver (27 years old) initially told police she had swerved to miss a cat in the roadway. She and a male passenger were seen by EMS. Officers noticed that the driver was displaying signs of intoxication and requested that she provide a sample of her breath to a roadside screening device. As a result of her breath samples the driver received a 72 hour suspension of her license, and the vehicle was towed and impounded at the owner’s expense.

SPEEDY DRIVING
A motorist was observed travelling at 140 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on Hwy 16 May 19. The male driver (35 years old) was issued a fine in the amount of $573.50.

CALLS FOR SERVICE SUMMARY
May 15:   46 calls for service
May 16:   46 calls for service
May 17:   41 calls for service
May 18:   35 calls for service
May 19:   45 calls for service
May 20:   42 calls for service
May 21:   42 calls for service

76 Traffic violations
57 Traffic Offences (Highway Traffic Act)
8 Vehicle Collisions
11 Impaired Drivers
46 Provincial statues (Mental Health Act, Child Welfare Act, Coroner’s Act, 911 Act, etc.)
10 Crimes against person
6 Assaults
1 Assault with Weapon
3 Uttering Threats
42 Crimes against property
17 Thefts
5 Theft of Motor Vehicles
11 Mischiefs to Property
9 Break and Enters
52 Other Criminal Investigations
71 Other Police Activities (False Alarms, Suspicious Person/Vehicle, Assistance Given, etc.)