On August 23, 2016, during the late afternoon, an RCMP Westman Traffic Services officer responded to a speeding vehicle on Highway 1 near Oak Lake, Manitoba. The vehicle was traveling east and was caught traveling in excess of 150 km/hr.
After initial pursuit, the vehicle, a black pickup truck, stopped and then fled before the officer could make contact with the driver. At the same time, the officer was informed that the pickup had been previously reported stolen in Alberta. The pickup then proceeded to drive through the median ditch and into the opposite lane of Highway 1 towards oncoming traffic. The officer terminated the pursuit and continued to follow at a safe distance.
The officer later observed the vehicle turn onto a gravel road. Virden RCMP detachment was notified and two officers set-up ahead of the suspect vehicle. The vehicle failed to slow down for the officers, lost control and swerved into a ditch full of water and came to a stop near Road 50 N and Road 143 West.
Both the driver and passenger were taken into custody without incident. The suspects originally provided false names to police, but have since been positively identified.
As a result of the stop, a loaded pistol and a sawed-off pellet gun, made to look like a sawed-off rifle, were discovered in the vehicle and seized by police.
“This was a very dangerous situation for our officers and for the public,” said Sgt. Mark Hume, RCMP Westman Traffic Services. “The rapid and professional response of our officers throughout the incident was critical to the safe apprehension of two armed and wanted individuals who appeared to have no regard for public safety.”
RCMP report that 32-year-old Joseph Kardelis and 22-year-old Jake Pinder, both from Alberta, face several charges including flight from police, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, firearms charges, failing to comply with various court orders and possession of property obtained by crime. Each also had out of province arrests warrants.
