News briefs for Saturday, September 23, 2023

Man arrested after high-speed pursuit, collision

11:30 AM

A Winnipeg man is in police custody after a high-speed chase through the North End ended in a collision.

Around 5:15 p.m. Friday, police spotted a wanted man driving a 2001 GMC Savana 1500 cargo camper van near Salter Street and Flora Avenue. When officers attempted to stop the vehicle a few blocks away, the suspect rammed into a police cruiser and sped off, the Winnipeg Police Service said in a release.

While fleeing police, the suspect collided with two other vehicles before abandoning the van near McPhillips Street and Redwood Avenue. Nobody was injured, police said.

Investigators learned the van had been stolen from a business in the 2100 block of St. Mary’s Road on Monday. A search of the vehicle produced around 1,000 prescription pills, including roughly 800 Xanax.

Police arrested Travis Terry Lee Thayer, 31, in the 1200 block of Troy Avenue. He is facing several charges, including assaulting a peace officer, flight while pursued by a peace officer, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, trafficking and failure to comply with conditions.

Jets unveil new alternate jersey

12:38 PM

The Winnipeg Jets have unveiled a new alternate jersey which honours the rich history of the Royal Canadian Air Force in the community.

The specialty “the Forty-Eight” sweater, shown for the first time at Saturday’s “Fan Fest” event at the Hockey For All Centre, pays homage to the 1948 jerseys worn by the gold-medal winning RCAF Flyers. It features red and blue striping and the Jets logo in place of the classic RCAF roundel.

Winnipeg will sport the uniforms on three occasions this season: Monday Dec. 4 vs. Carolina (the kickoff for the RCAF’s centennial celebrations), Saturday Jan. 27 vs. Toronto and Monday Apr. 1 vs. Los Angeles (which marks the 100th-anniversary of the RCAF).

Their Heritage Blue jerseys remain the official alternates for the team and will be worn for 11 games this season, with specific dates to be determined.

Crews respond to blaze on Sherbrook Street

1:20 PM

Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service was called to the 100 block of Sherbrook Street Saturday for reports of a fire in a three-storey house.

Firefighters were on scene shortly after 11 a.m. and had the fire under control in about 30 minutes.

A search of the building found no occupants and no injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Several suspects charged after apparent bear spray assault

3:54 PM

One man is in police custody and several others face charges, after an assault near Garden City in which multiple victims were injured.

Around 11 p.m. Friday, officers responded to a business in the 2100 block of McPhillips Street to find three victims — aged 26-, 28- and 37-years-old — had been sprayed with a noxious substance believed to be bear spray, the Winnipeg Police Service said in a release.

Four suspects fled in a vehicle before police arrived, but the group was later located in the 100 block of Manor House Court during an unrelated investigation.

Police recognized the suspect vehicle and approached the driver who became aggressive. An officer deployed his Taser and the man was placed under arrest, WPS said.

The three remaining suspects exited a nearby residence and attempted to intervene by confronting the officers. Additional units quickly attended, and all involved parties were arrested without further incident.

Investigators linked all four suspects to the prior assault on McPhillips Street.

One of the suspects, a 29-year-old man, remains in custody. He faces numerous charges including assault with a weapon and assaulting a peace officer.

Three other men — aged 23-, 26- and 28-years-old — were charged with possessing cocaine and released on promises to appear.

Maya Turner makes game-winning kick in Bisons win

5:40 PM

It was a storybook ending to what was already a historic day in Canadian university sports.

Bisons’ kicker Maya Turner drilled a 21-yard field goal in overtime to give the University of Manitoba Bisons a 27-24 win over the Regina Rams at IG Field.

The Bisons improved to 1-3 on the campaign to keep their hopes for a conference playoff appearance alive.

Turner, who also became the first female in U Sports history to dress and record a point in a regular season game on this day, finished 2-for-2 on field goal attempts (both kicks from 21 yards) and 3-for-3 on extra-point tries to register nine points in her collegiate debut.

The 21-year-old product of Maple Grove, Minn. signed with the Bisons in January 2022 after emailing head coach Brian Dobie tape of her kicking a football.

The Bisons may continue to unleash their new weapon when they host the Calgary Dinos at IG Field on Oct. 1 (2 p.m.).