News briefs for Thursday, June 11, 2026

Man wanted in rural robbery found dead

11:53 AM

A man who was on the lam after a liquor store robbery in the Rural Municipality of Alexander left an employee seriously injured has been found dead.

Powerview RCMP were sent to a residence Wednesday morning in Sagkeeng First Nation after receiving information a dead body was found outside, a news release Thursday stated.

Officers determined the man was a missing person who was connected to a robbery on June 6 at a store at the intersection of Highway 59 and Highway 11.

An employee tried to stop the man from driving away on an ATV after he was seen stealing alcohol, police previously said.

The employee clung to the man as he rode the vehicle, and they eventually fell into a ditch. The man then ran over the employee and drove away, RCMP said.

The worker, a 40-year-old man from the RM of Victoria Beach, suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries, police said. He was taken to hospital.

A chase ensued between the suspect and police but the man refused to pull over. He made his way to a wooded area and hadn’t been seen or heard from since. He was reported missing by his family.

Police said earlier this week they were on the lookout for Kevin Courchene, 27. He had been charged with multiple offences, including aggravated assault and robbery.

The man’s cause of death has not been determined and is pending autopsy results.

RCMP continue to investigate.

RCMP investigate after gun pointed at teen at Portage la Prairie hotel

11:05 AM

Portage la Prairie RCMP are investigating after a man allegedly pointed a handgun at a teenager during an argument at a local hotel.

Police say officers were called to a hotel in the 2400 block of Saskatchewan Avenue West at approximately 2:45 p.m. on Wednesday after receiving a report that a firearm had been brandished.

Investigators learned a teenage couple had been outside the hotel earlier in the afternoon when they became involved in an argument with a man they knew who was also staying at the hotel. During the confrontation, the suspect allegedly pulled out a handgun and pointed it at the male victim before leaving the area.

Hotel guests, as well as students and staff at a nearby school, were briefly placed under a hold-and-secure while officers investigated.

Police didn’t find the man after carrying out search warrant in the suspect’s hotel room, but seized a handgun, ammunition, cocaine and drug paraphernalia.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Portage la Prairie RCMP at 204-857-4445 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Police ask public to help identify suspects in 2024 attempted grocery store arson

10:21 AM

Winnipeg police are asking for the public’s help identifying two suspects in connection with an attempted arson at a grocery store in the 1000 block of Main Street.

According to investigators, the incident occurred shortly before 12:30 a.m. on Aug. 11, 2024, when two men carrying jerry cans entered the store and poured gasoline throughout the building. A store employee was able to intervene and get the suspects out of the store before they were able to ignite the fire.

One suspect is described as an Indigenous man in his mid-30s with a shaved or buzz-cut hairstyle, average height and build, and a tattoo on the back of his right hand. He was wearing a black T-shirt over a red long-sleeve shirt.

The second suspect is described as a man between 35 and 40 years old with an average build, short hair with shaved sides and a goatee. He was wearing a black hoodie featuring writing on the sleeves and a mask-and-sword logo on the front.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Major Crimes Unit at 204-986-6219 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 204-786-TIPS.

Police advise motorists to drive carefully after recent collisions

9:30 AM

Winnipeg police are reminding motorists to slow down as investigators continue to examine several recent crashes in which speed and aggressive driving are believed to have played a role.

The warning follows an incident on May 16 in which officers say two drivers were caught racing on Chief Peguis Trail, with one vehicle reaching speeds exceeding 200 km/h.

According to a police news release issued Thursday, the incident was recorded by Air1. Police tracked both vehicles to a home, where officers issued tickets for racing and careless driving.

Police also noted that more than 13,194 speeding-related tickets have been issued in Winnipeg so far in 2025.

“While speeding may save only a small amount of travel time, it can greatly increase both the likelihood and severity of a collision,” the release said. “Compliance with posted speed limits is an important part of keeping Winnipeg’s roadways safe.

“As the summer driving season is here, police encourage all motorists to slow down, exercise patience and make safe driving choices to help prevent injuries and save lives.”

Winnipeg police investigate homicide after fatal assault on Salter Avenue

9:18 AM

Winnipeg police are investigating the city’s latest homicide after a man died following an assault at a business in the 200 block of Salter Avenue.

Officers responded to the scene just after 8 p.m. on Monday and learned the victim had been approached by several individuals. An argument escalated, and the man was assaulted with a weapon before the suspects fled.

The victim was taken to hospital in critical condition, where he later died from his injuries.

Police have identified the victim as 34-year-old Kyle Christopher Desjarlais, a Métis citizen who had been living in the city.

The homicide unit continues to investigate.

Anyone with information is asked to contact investigators at 204-986-6508 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 204-786-TIPS.