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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Helicopter helps catch gunman

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 04/18/2011 1:00 AM

A man is in custody after a police hunt for a gunman seen cruising the West End.

At about 9:30 p.m. Saturday, a group of people near Sargent Avenue and Spence Street reported seeing a male carrying the handgun. Police rushed to the scene but couldn't find the him.

About an hour later, police received another call about a male armed with a firearm, who was seen riding a bike near Agnes Street and St. Matthews Avenue.

Numerous police units, and the AIR1 helicopter, raced to the scene.

Minutes later, a suspect was spotted in the 400 block of Agnes Street.

As the man fled, he allegedly tossed the handgun onto the street, where it was spotted by one of the officers and quickly recovered.

The helicopter eye-in-the-sky kept track of the suspect as he tried to evade officers in cruiser cars. He was arrested at 10:45 p.m. near Ellice Avenue and Sherbrook Street.

"The helicopter played a significant role in recovering evidence that led to the charges in this case," said police spokeswoman Const. Natalie Aitken.

An 18-year-old man faces five charges, including possession of a firearm while prohibited, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and two counts of breaching previous conditions.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition April 18, 2011 B4

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