RCMP arrest man deemed immediate threat to public

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This article was published 20/10/2021 (1613 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba RCMP arrested a suspect who was the subject of an emergency alert Wednesday.

“Wes Wadien has been safely arrested, without incident, in the RM of Rockwood and is in custody. The RCMP thanks the media and public for their assistance,” the RCMP posted on its Facebook site around 8:15 p.m., minutes after holding a short news conference to alert the public they could be danger.

They had issued an alert around 7 p.m. to advise that the 38-year-old man was considered armed, dangerous, and was an immediate threat to the public.

Wadien was wanted on allegations of uttering threats and pointing a firearm, as well as arrest warrants for other offences.

At a press conference, RCMP Supt. Rob Lasson said officers responded to a call on Tuesday at 1 p.m. in which it was alleged the suspect had pointed a shotgun at someone in Selkirk. When officers responded, the suspect fled, prompting a pursuit, but the suspect evaded police.

Police launched a response that included the Winnipeg police helicopter, drones, and a police dog unit. They encountered the suspect on Wednesday, but he was able to evade police, Lasson said.

The suspect is alleged to have stolen “multiple vehicles” in the past two days, Lasson added, and was believed to be armed. Lasson noted the suspect was on foot when he was taken into custody.

Wednesday evening marked the first time the emergency alert system was activated to warn of an ongoing threat, Lasson told media.

Lasson said the suspect was behaving “erratically” towards police, prompting the need for an emergency alert.

“The RCMP in Manitoba wanted to ensure that all public were well informed of the potential risk that this individual posed due to the unpredictable behaviour he displayed toward police in the last two days,” he said, adding RCMP engaged in an ongoing risk analysis and determined the suspect to be a high risk to the public.

The warning had applied to Selkirk, the Interlake and Winnipeg.

“The RCMP does not take our public alert messaging lightly, and I want to thank the public for all their understanding and co-operation through this event,” Lasson said at a second media conference Wednesday evening to announce the suspect had been arrested.