Sister of Manitoba man feared dead in homicide relieved after Eric Wildman's arrest near Belleville, Ont.
The arrest of a Manitoba fugitive is bringing relief to the sister of a suspected homicide victim.
Clifford Joseph, 40, disappeared after leaving his home in the R.M. of St. Clements on June 7 and hasn’t been seen since.
“I felt relieved because maybe now we can get some answers,” Clifford’s sister Felicia Joseph told CTV News.
On Friday morning, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) arrested a suspect in Clifford’s disappearance east of Toronto with shots fired at officers from inside a home near Belleville, Ont.
Police made contact with two men inside the home and both eventually surrendered. The OPP and RCMP identified one of the men as 34-year-old Eric Wildman, who’s been the focus of an intense weeklong search in southeast Manitoba.
The standoff ended with no injuries and both men were taken into custody.
Police outside of a home near Belleville, Ont. where Eric Wildman was arrested by Ontario Provincial Police. (Source: Marisa Dragani)Police outside of a home near Belleville, Ont. on June 18, 2021, where Eric Wildman was arrested by Ontario Provincial Police. (Source: Marisa Dragani)
“When we heard that the OPP had this residence surrounded, our entire team was holding their breath,” said RCMP Supt. Michael Koppang, the officer in charge of Manitoba Major Crime Services.
Wanted in connection with Clifford’s disappearance, police presumed Wildman was armed and dangerous and warned the public he shouldn’t be approached.
Earlier this week, the RCMP also found firearms and replica police clothing and equipment in his vehicle, escalating public safety concerns.
Items resembling police clothing seized by RCMP during an investigation into the homicide of Clifford Joseph (Image source: Manitoba RCMP)Items resembling police clothing seized by RCMP from Eric Wildman's vehicle on June 13, 2021, during an investigation into the homicide of Clifford Joseph (Source: Manitoba RCMP)
It’s a search that as recently as Thursday focused on Whiteshell Provincial Park near the Manitoba/Ontario border but concluded more than 2,000 kilometres away.
“It was a heck of a long drive in a fairly short period of time,” Koppang said.
Koppang said police in Ontario were responding to three tips they received Thursday night about a vehicle matching the one Wildman was believed to be driving.
Outside the Prince Edward County home where he was arrested on Friday, crews could be seen loading a Chevy Equinox onto a flatbed truck — the kind of vehicle police said Wildman rented at the airport in Winnipeg last Friday.
The vehicle was last seen just west of Whiteshell Provincial Park Wednesday at 7 p.m., prompting police to flood the area and the border in hopes of catching him.
“We set up roadblocks, we did everything that you’d expect us to do and we have no explanation at this point how he got through that, essentially,” said Koppang.
Wildman and Clifford lived next to each on rural properties in the R.M. of St. Clements, but police haven’t elaborated on any relationship between the two men beyond being neighbours.
Felicia said her brother had only lived in the area a couple months. She said he has a daughter and describes him as a genuine person who would help anyone.
Clifford Joseph, 40, disappeared after leaving his home in the R.M. of St. Clements on June 7 and hasn’t been seen since. (Submitted)(Submitted photo)
Clifford’s body hasn’t been located but his truck was found abandoned near Wildman’s property on June 7, the same day he was last seen.
“I won’t believe it until I see some official evidence or a body or something,” said Felicia.
Investigators said Friday the indication now is that Wildman was headed to the home in Belleville, but it’s not clear why.
The identity of the second man arrested has not been released, but the RCMP described him as “an associate” of Wildman’s.
Wildman is being sent back to Manitoba and has already been charged with unsafe storage of a firearm and possession of a prohibited device without a licence.
The RCMP said more charges are expected.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Robert Pickton to remain in medically induced coma until later this week: police
Serial killer Robert Pickton will remain in a medically induced coma for at least the next few days following an attack in a Quebec prison Sunday, according to police spokesperson Hugues Beaulieu.
Charlie Colin, founding member of the pop-rock band Train, dies at 58
Charlie Colin, bassist and founding member of the American pop-rock band Train, best known for their early-aughts hits like 'Drops of Jupiter' and 'Meet Virginia,' has died. He was 58.
'Five feet nothing': Pickton's safety likely behind Quebec transfer, says ex-prison judge
When serial killer Robert Pickton was transferred from British Columbia's Kent Institution to a maximum security prison in Quebec about six years ago, correctional authorities gave no public explanation or confirmation at the time, citing privacy.
'I feel betrayed': Ottawa-area customers out thousands of dollars warn of bad faith contractor
A group of people from eastern Ontario and western Quebec is issuing a warning about Dennis Walker and his company Vue Windows.
Fancy pigeon outfitted in custom diaper has free rein in B.C. family home
When Chrissy Chin volunteered to take in a fancy pigeon abandoned on a park bench, she never imagined she would one day be ordering custom-made diapers for the bird – who lives in her house and has become a member of the family.
'We'll need all hands on deck': Details emerge after deadly boat crash near Kingston
Police say they have wrapped up their on-scene investigation into a deadly boat crash in eastern Ontario as details of the incident begin to emerge.
WestJet planning new fare category for travellers willing to forgo carry-on bag
WestJet Airlines plans to launch a new cheaper fare category that would be available to travellers willing to fly without a carry-on bag.
5 dead and at least 35 hurt in Iowa tornado: officials
Five people died and at least 35 were hurt as powerful tornadoes ripped through Iowa Tuesday, with one carving a path of destruction through the town of Greenfield, officials said.
Woman found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017 matches identity of missing person in Switzerland
Genetic genealogy has helped Toronto police identify a woman who was found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017.