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 2017-03-13 and 2017-03-19.

Stolen Truck Located
Portage la Prairie RCMP were asking for the assistance of the community in locating a stolen vehicle from the MacGregor area. That vehicle has been recovered, but investigators are still looking to speak with anyone with knowledge of the incident. A grey 2001 Dodge Ram was stolen from Hampton Street in MacGregor around March 14th, 2017. The vehicle was recovered on March 20th, 2017 in the 600 block of King Avenue in Portage la Prairie. If you have any knowledge of who was involved in the theft of this vehicle, 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 .

Assault Arrests
Portage la Prairie RCMP responded to a disturbance on 5th Street NE shortly after midnight. Once on scene officers came in contact with a male suspect, believed to have assaulted another resident of the home with a knife. The male, Michael Richard (35 years old), was arrested and taken into police custody without incident. The victim was given medical assistance but would leave Portage General Hospital a short time after the incident with non-life threatening injuries. Richard remained in custody until such time as he could be brought before the court on charges of assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, uttering threats, and failing to comply with conditions of release.

Portage la Prairie RCMP responded to a disturbance in the area of 12 Street NW and Saskatchewan Avenue. Officers learned that a violent assault had taken place inside a nearby apartment and that the assailant was at large in the area. A quick response by officers resulted in the arrest of Benson Wayne Keeper (40 years old) for aggravated assault. Keeper was held in custody until such time as he could be brought before the court. The victim in the matter was seen by paramedics on scene and taken to hospital for further treatment for non-life threatening injuries.

Poor Weather Crashes
Between 8:00 AM and 7:00 PM, police across the Central Plains area responded to at least 10 collisions as a result of poor weather and road conditions. Though spring has arrived, there is no guarantee we’ve escaped winter. Please reduce your speed when the weather turns bad, as posted speed limits are for ideal conditions.

Searching Stolen Vehicle
Portage la Prairie RCMP are asking for the assistance of the community in locating a stolen vehicle. Between 4:00 PM on March 16th and 7:30 AM on March 17th, a grey 2016 Ford F-150 was stolen from a home on Cottonwood Road in Poplar Point. The pick-up truck was last seen with Manitoba license plate GLU 819. For your safety, do not approach anyone inside this vehicle. If you know of the vehicle’s whereabouts, or who was involved with this incident, 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 and www.manitobacrimestoppers.com .

Impaired Driving Arrest
Portage la Prairie RCMP responded to a possible impaired driver having struck the curb outside of the Midtown Motor Inn just before midnight. Officers patrolled for the suspects and their vehicle, which was found on Saskatchewan Avenue. The male driver (39 years old) and female passenger (25 years old) were detained, at which point officers learned that the driver did not possess a valid driver’s license. The driver was issued fines for operating a motor vehicle without a driver’s license and no liability insurance, as well as having open alcohol inside the vehicle.

Early Morning Car Theft
Portage la Prairie RCMP were called to the area of 5th Street NW just before 4:00 AM, as a resident of a home heard their vehicle start and then drive away. The vehicle was quickly located, and both the male driver (24 years old) and female passenger (35 years old) were arrested for possession of stolen property. The driver also displayed signs of impairment, with his subsequent breath samples nearing double the legal limit. Both occupants were later released from police custody on strict conditions, set to appear in court at a later date.

Calls For Service Summary
Mar 13th - 35 calls for service
Mar 14th - 37 calls for service
Mar 15th - 37 calls for service
Mar 16th - 27 calls for service
Mar 17th - 34 calls for service
Mar 18th - 43 calls for service
Mar 19th - 39 calls for service

80 Traffic violations
61 Traffic Offences (Highway Traffic Act)
15 Vehicle Collisions
4 Impaired Drivers
23 Provincial statues (Mental Health Act, Child Welfare Act, Coroner’s Act, 911 Act, etc.)
21 Crimes against person
11 Assaults
2 Assault with Weapon
1 Aggravated Assault
3 Robbery
4 Uttering Threats
31 Crimes against property
8 Thefts
8 Theft of Motor Vehicles
8 Mischiefs to Property
7 Break and Enters
45 Other Criminal Investigations
52 Other Police Activities (False Alarms, Suspicious Person/Vehicle, Assistance Given, etc.)