Police launch website to find Manitoba's most wanted
Manitoba RCMP and the Winnipeg Police Service are launching Manitoba's Most Wanted website.
The website is used to highlight offenders the Manitoba Integrated Violent Offender Apprehension Unit (MIVOAU) is looking to arrest.
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Winnipeg newsletters
"We're telling these wanted individuals that their days of hiding in the shadows are coming to an end. History shows that when we engage with the public and ask for help, the public will respond, and they come through," said Insp. Shawn Pike with Manitoba RCMP.
Police said the hope is the public will recognize someone from the website and they would be able to report their location to police or Crime Stoppers.
"The wanted notices are to encourage the public to be on the lookout, but these are serious and violent offenders so they should not be approached," police said in a news release.
Pike said this new website will help keep the public engaged and help expand on the work that is done on social media to find wanted individuals.
"In 2023 alone, we were able to directly link the arrests of 43 wanted persons back to the efforts of our social media work. We've had multiple incidents of relatives, including parents, contacting us with information," said Pike.
The MIVOAU was formed in May 2023 and to date 480 serious or violent offenders have been arrested.
In the first three quarters of 2024, police said the MIVOAU has arrested 264 violent offenders, performed 594 warrant checks and executed 375 warrants.
Of those arrests, 84 per cent were on bail, probation or parole, and 27 per cent of the violent offenders were gang members or associates known to police.
"The sole purpose of this unit was to target violent offenders and hold them responsible for their criminal acts. Tackling the increase in violent crime in Winnipeg and across the province demands a cooperative response," said Insp. Jennifer McKinnon with the Winnipeg Police Service.
There are currently 10 people listed on the most wanted website, but police noted that number can change as time goes on.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former finance minister Bill Morneau questions if it's the 'right time' for emissions cap following Trump re-election
Following the re-election of former U.S. president Donald Trump, former finance minister Bill Morneau says the Canadian government should re-evaluate the timing of some cornerstone Liberal policies.
Tornado touched down Sunday in Fergus, Ont., experts confirm
A team of tornado experts are investigating a path of damage through Wellington County.
Canada cancels automatic 10-year multiple-entry visas, tightens rules
Canada has announced changes to their visitor visa policies, effectively ending the automatic issuance of 10-year multiple-entry visas, according to new rules outlined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
Biden and Harris appear together for the first time since she lost the election to Trump
U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris on Monday made their first joint appearance since her U.S. selection loss when they observed Veterans Day together by laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
'I get goosebumps': Canadians across the country mark Remembrance Day
Across Canada, dignitaries marked Remembrance Day by laying wreaths at ceremonies, school children sang in the late fall chill and veterans recalled the horrors of battle.
Alien-like signal from 2023 has been decoded. The next step is to figure out what it means
If Earth's astronomical observatories were to pick up a signal from outer space, it would need an all-hands-on-deck effort to decipher the extraterrestrial message. A father-daughter team of citizen scientists recently deciphered the message. Its meaning, however, remains a mystery.
Mattel says it 'deeply' regrets misprint on 'Wicked' dolls packaging that links to porn site
Toy giant Mattel says it 'deeply' regrets an error on the packaging of its 'Wicked' movie-themed dolls, which mistakenly links toy buyers to a pornographic website.
Trump names Stephen Miller to be deputy chief of policy in new administration
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is naming longtime adviser Stephen Miller, an immigration hard-liner, to be the deputy chief of policy in his new administration.
What to know about avian flu after B.C. case, from transmission to symptoms
A B.C. teen has a suspected case of H5N1 avian flu — the first known human to acquire the virus in Canada.