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
BREAKING Iran fires air defence batteries in provinces as explosions heard near Isfahan
Iran fired air defence batteries early Friday morning as explosions could be heard near a major air base near Isfahan, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike following Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.