North Dakota Man Charged After Fleeing Manitoba Border Crossing and Leading Police Chase

A 44 year old man from North Dakota has been arrested and charged after allegedly fleeing a Manitoba border crossing and leading police on a high speed pursuit toward Winnipeg.

The incident began Saturday evening at the Emerson point of entry in southern Manitoba after the man entered Canada from North Dakota.

According to police, the Canada Border Services Agency alerted the RCMP shortly before 6:30 p.m. after the driver stopped at the border but allegedly sped away when officers directed him to undergo additional screening.

RCMP officers later attempted to stop the vehicle on Highway 75 south of Morris. Police said the driver did not comply and continued travelling at high speed.

Additional officers attempted to bring the vehicle to a stop near Provincial Road 210 by positioning police vehicles across the highway. Investigators said the driver managed to manoeuvre around the police vehicles before driving through a ditch and continuing along the highway.

During the pursuit, police said the vehicle narrowly missed striking an officer.

The chase continued until officers were eventually able to stop the vehicle on the highway. The driver was removed from the vehicle and taken into custody shortly after 7 p.m.

Police said a loaded handgun was discovered on the front passenger seat of the vehicle. Officers also seized several types of ammunition.

No police officers were injured during the incident, although one RCMP vehicle was damaged during the pursuit.

The suspect was taken into custody and remanded in custody while the investigation continued.

The 44 year old man faces numerous charges related to the alleged driving conduct, the police pursuit and possession and transportation of firearms.

The charges include dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, fleeing from police and unsafe transportation of a firearm. He is also charged with allegedly assaulting a police officer with a weapon and knowingly possessing a firearm without authorization.

Additional firearm related charges include possessing a firearm and prohibited ammunition inside a motor vehicle, possessing a loaded and prohibited firearm with ammunition that was readily accessible, and exporting a firearm and prohibited ammunition.

The circumstances surrounding the man’s decision to flee the border crossing remain under investigation.

Police have not provided a confirmed explanation for why the man left the Emerson crossing after being directed to secondary screening. Investigators from the RCMP and Canada Border Services Agency are continuing to examine the incident.

Authorities in the United States are also involved as investigators work with American law enforcement agencies to establish what happened before the man arrived at the Canadian border and why he allegedly attempted to escape after entering Canada.

The incident highlights the coordination required between Canadian and U.S. authorities when a person crosses an international border and becomes the subject of a criminal investigation.

The investigation remains ongoing, and the allegations against the accused have not been tested in court. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Courtesy: CBC