Dauphin suspects found hiding in secret rooms during RCMP arrest

A Dauphin man’s attempt to hide behind a false wall — and another man beneath a trap door — ended with RCMP uncovering not one, but two secret rooms inside a Hawthorne Avenue home early Saturday.

Officers arrived at the home just before 12:30 a.m. to arrest a suspect wanted on multiple theft-related charges. After entering the home, police initially found a man who claimed he was alone, but a search revealed a hidden room behind a false wall, containing weapons and a trap door leading to a second concealed space.

About 20 minutes later, a second suspect inside the lower room surrendered and was taken into custody without incident.

A 48-year-old Dauphin man is charged with resisting arrest and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. He was already facing several charges, including theft over $5,000, possession of stolen property and fleeing police. He remains in custody.

A second man, 35, was arrested at the scene and charged with obstructing police. He was later released with a court date.