A Winnipeg man has been charged following a dramatic and dangerous standoff at an East Kildonan home Thursday that lasted around six hours.
The Winnipeg Police Service said officers were initially called to a different home in the Chalmers neighbourhood for a firearm-related incident at 1:15 p.m. Thursday afternoon.
Officers allege around 1:40 p.m., the suspect went to a store in the 900 block of Nairn and stole items worth about $330, and then drove a stolen car with a stolen licence plates in the Nairn overpass area.
Officers say the suspect sped, ran red lights, travelled in an oncoming lane and collided with another vehicle.
Const. Jay Murray said police saw these actions and chased the suspect, who at one point grabbed at his waistband and told officers he would shoot them. The suspect then reportedly ran uninvited into a home in the 400 block of Nairn, which had four adults inside. One adult fled shortly after, the other three were safely evacuated by police.
A six-hour long armed and barricaded standoff ensued, which all came to a close when a blaze erupted and firefighters arrived on scene.
Officers allege the suspect started the fire around 8:10 p.m. Murray said officers heard the man calling for help, saying he was burning alive.
With the home in flames, members of the Tactical Support Team forced their way in through a fortified window, grabbed the suspect and pulled him to safety.
He was taken to hospital in stable condition for precautionary reasons and was treated for smoke inhalation. Later on he was taken to police headquarters.
The house was deemed a loss due to damage, estimated at $100,000, and it’s believed a cat may have died.
Gordon William Kovich, 29, has been charged and processed on outstanding arrest warrants. He is in custody.
