Teen suspect arrested following three-month spree of vehicle thefts, damage
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A 17-year-old boy is facing 68 charges after four police cruisers were rammed and 16 vehicles were stolen in southeast Winnipeg in a three-month crime spree.
The suspect was arrested in an investigation dubbed Project Lancer, after police pursued him by vehicle and then by foot in Windsor Park Wednesday morning.
His charges include six counts of assaulting a police officer with a weapon and 36 counts of failing to comply with a release order.
(John Woods / The Canadian Press files)
The spree led police to warn drivers not to leave their vehicles running and unattended, which is how many vehicles are stolen in the city.
Police said Wednesday’s pursuit began at about 8:45 a.m., when officers saw a stolen 2013 Nissan Rogue travelling east on Elizabeth Road, near Lagimodiere Boulevard.
Multiple units followed the SUV as the driver headed south on Lagimodiere and westbound on Fermor Avenue before attempting to contain the vehicle.
The driver rammed two police vehicles and fled after driving over a tire deflation device, police said in a news release Friday.
The heavily damaged SUV was abandoned on Cypress Bay. Officers arrested a suspect on Gatineau Bay after a brief foot pursuit.
Police said a folding knife was found discarded nearby. No injuries were reported.
Members of the property crime and community support units, as well as general patrol officers, worked together on Project Lancer, which led to the arrest.
Police said investigators linked the suspect to 16 vehicle thefts, a garage break-in and other crimes between Dec. 3 and March 11.
The owner of a vehicle was struck when they attempted to prevent their 2021 Kia Forte from being stolen Dec. 8, police said.
The suspect allegedly rammed two police vehicles during a pursuit in a stolen 2018 Hyundai Elantra Feb. 27.
Police said vehicle keys and clothing, which matched that worn by a suspect in surveillance video, were seized during a search of the suspect’s home.
The teen’s other charges include 16 counts of vehicle theft, two counts of dangerous operation of a vehicle, and single counts of robbery (carjacking) and resisting arrest.
He was held in custody.
fpcity@freepress.mb.ca
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Updated on Friday, March 13, 2026 10:30 AM CDT: Formats text