Two people in custody after armed standoff in Portage la Prairie

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This article was published 18/07/2017 (2980 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

RCMP took two people into custody Tuesday morning after a tense showdown involving armed people in Portage La Prairie.

Mounties say they were called to a home in the community shortly before midnight and when the tactical team tried to enter, it discovered barricades had been set up.

Four people inside refused to come out for negotiators, so police used tear gas to flush out a 25-year-old woman and a 16-year-old girl.

The tactical team then forced its way in and arrested two men, both 27.

Police say the woman and teen, who were released from custody, are being treated as witnesses or possibly victims.

One of the men arrested is a suspect in an earlier car theft from the same home where the takedown occurred.

Police say all four people suffered minor injuries, but no officers were hurt.

Police had asked the pubic to stay away from the home while officers were making arrests and not to post police movements on social media.

“The RCMP thanks the public for their co-operation in staying clear,” Const. Sean O’Keefe said in a statement. “Public safety is our priority.”

Members of the highly trained Emergency Response Team (ERT), police dog services, and negotiators were involved in the arrests.

“It’s always concerning because there’s always that risk of public safety… but we are fully equipped to handle incidents like this,” said RCMP spokesperson Tara Seel.

The investigation is ongoing. Since it’s in its early stages, RCMP won’t yet say if the incident is gang-related.

Tuesday’s arrests come three weeks after Portage la Prairie went into lockdown after an armed suspect ran away from officers outside a local grocery store. In that case, three individuals were travelling in a stolen van. RCMP eventually caught up with the suspect and he and two accomplices have since been charged.

With files from The Canadian Press

#rcmpmb can confirm 4 suspects in custody from Portage la Prairie, Oak Bay incident. Scene is secure. Investigation ongoing.

— RCMP Manitoba (@rcmpmb) July 18, 2017