Winnipeg police will review how they react to youth who repeatedly steal vehicles and then use them as weapons against police.
Four teens were allegedly in a stolen pickup truck that rammed an unmarked police vehicle on Monday night.
Winnipeg police spokesman Const. Blair Good said officers had to overpower a 16-year-old boy armed with a screwdriver. The 17-year-old male driver, a 13-year-old male passenger and 14-year-old female passenger fled from the vehicle and were arrested after a foot chase with the help of the police dog team.
Winnipeg police Chief Keith McCaskill said Tuesday while he hadn't been briefed on the incident, "we're certainly reviewing how we are handling these things."
The latest incident is one more reason why his department has been pressing the federal government to ask for a stiffer law addressing vehicle theft.
"Public safety has to be paramount," McCaskill said.
"We've been asking for a separate offence for stealing autos, a violent offence... . When people do violent acts, you have to get them off the street or someone will be killed."
Mayor Sam Katz said he could only echo McCaskill's sentiments.
"Enough is enough," Katz said.
"It is time for every citizen to call their members of Parliament... . (The youth stealing cars) don't seem to care and the last thing I'd want to see is if something happens to a member of the Winnipeg Police Service."
kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca
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