Witness says Wes Wadien was in her yard shortly before his arrest
Manitoba RCMP say a man who was considered armed and dangerous – prompting an emergency alert to be sent out – has been safely arrested and is in custody.
Late Wednesday evening, RCMP said 38-year-old Wesley Manfred Wadien had been arrested without injury or incident in a rural area in the RM of Rockwood.
RCMP Superintendent Rob Lasson was not able to provide details of the arrest or say if any charges have been laid against Wadien.
He said on Tuesday afternoon Mounties were called to a report of a person in Selkirk pointing a shotgun.
"When we get a call like that, it is a very dangerous situation," Lasson said, adding the call prompted schools in Selkirk to be placed into lockdown.
Lasson said the individual was able to escape police – leading to an extensive search lasting the rest of the day involving local RCMP along with Major Crimes Services, the Winnipeg Police Service helicopter, RCMP police dogs and drones.
He said police encountered Wadien again on Wednesday around Selkirk, but he was again able to get away. Lasson said RCMP launched another search throughout the Interlake region in Manitoba.
Wadien had been spotted Wednesday evening driving a white Dodge Ram on Highway 17. Lasson said RCMP believe Wadien had stolen multiple vehicles over the past few days.
While the search was ongoing, Lasson said RCMP had been doing a risk assessment over the past two days, deeming Wadien a high-risk threat with the potential to cause harm to the public.
Mounties had put out an emergency alert Wednesday evening, warning the public that Wadien was considered an immediate threat, and was considered armed and dangerous. The public was warned not to approach Wadien, and call 911 if he was spotted.
An emergency alert issued by Manitoba RCMP on Oct. 20, 2021, warning the public of Wesley Manfred Wadien - who was considered armed and dangerous. He was safely arrested later that evening. (Source: CTV News Winnipeg)
"What I can say is that there are a number of factors that emerged throughout today – specifically his erratic actions when we attempted to pursue and apprehend him," Lasson said.
"The actions that he displayed post that event led us to believe that his actions were escalating, and his actions were also unpredictable – therefore we thought that he was an ongoing and heightening risk to the public."
RCMP previously said Wadien was wanted for uttering threats and pointing a firearm, along with multiple other arrest warrants.
None of the charges have been proven in court.
A WITNESS SPEAKS OUT
Lois Howard said a man came into her yard, which is near Balmoral, on Wednesday night, saying that he had run out of gas.
“I looked out my kitchen window and saw this strange fellow in my yard and went outside asked him what he was doing in my yard,” she said.
As they were speaking, police pulled into Howard’s yard and the man ran away.
“They came out of their cars with – I could see rifles – and he took off west,” she said.
“I talked to the RCMP and then there was more RCMP.”
Howard noted the man was caught and arrested shortly after this interaction.
She said she didn’t know who she had come into contact with until the RCMP told her to go inside and lock her doors.
“I walked in the living room and the alert was on TV and it was like ‘Oh my goodness,’ and that’s how I saw he was wanted,” Howard said.
- With files from CTV’s Josh Crabb and Kayla Rosen.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
RCMP uncovers plot to sell drones and equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Thieves use stolen forklift to rip cash machine out of U.K. bank
Police in the U.K. are searching for a group of suspects seen on video using a forklift to steal a cash machine from a bank.
'There was a lot of black smoke': Crane operator sounds alarm while trapped during highrise fire in Halifax
A tower crane operator alerted emergency crews after noticing a fire on a construction site in Halifax Tuesday morning.
Cherry blossoms blooming in Canada: Here's what to know
There is a swaying sea of colour in some cities across Canada, and it's a sure sign of spring: cherry blossoms are in bloom.