Police are crediting the service's helicopter with aiding them in catching a suspect after a motorcycle was spotted reaching speeds up to 200 kilometres per hour on Wednesday.

Const. Jason Michalyshen, a spokesperson for Winnipeg police, said the helicopter aided in maintaining visual contact with the motorcycle and helped in coordinating officers' efforts on the ground.

Around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, officers in the Island Shore Boulevard area noticed a motorcycle travelling eastbound on Bishop Grandin Boulevard at a high rate of speed.

Officers activated emergency lights and tried to stop the motorcycle, which had two occupants, near the intersection of Bishop Grandin and Lagimodiere Boulevard.

The motorcycle did not stop and fled northbound on Lagimodiere.

Police said the bike continued driving in an erratic manner.

""There is no question this individual was making every effort to evade police he put not only himself he put his passenger the public and police at risk," said Michalyshen.

The motorcycle headed eastbound onto the Trans-Canada Highway, where it reached speeds up to 200 kilometres per hour, said police.

Officers saw the bike turn northbound onto Highway 207 and requested the help of the police helicopter.

The motorcycle was eventually stopped in the area of Gunn Road, with coordinated efforts from the helicopter and ground units.

Paul Childs, a one-time star football player with Churchill High School and former University of Manitoba Bison player, was arrested.

The 20-year-old faces multiple charges, including dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, fleeing from police, driving carelessly and driving an unregistered vehicle.

- with a report from CTV's Stacey Ashley


- a video of the pursuit filmed from the police helicopter is available on the police website (wmv file)