Man arrested after fleeing traffic stop: RCMP

A man has been arrested after he allegedly fled from an attempted traffic stop in Pinaymootang First Nation on Monday.

The man, 29, was arrested in the community Friday, RCMP said that afternoon. Police had asked for the public’s help in finding him hours earlier.

Officers tried to stop a minivan on New Road South at 1:35 p.m. Monday, but it went behind a home. Two males and a female ran away after it stopped, tossing a backpack as they ran, police said.

Police found a loaded sawed-off gun and two large cans of bear spray in the bag.

A 41-year-old man who uses a wheelchair was found in the vehicle, along with identification belonging to the Pinaymootang man arrested Friday. That man — the alleged driver — was wanted for a slate of alleged offences, including fleeing police and possessing a prohibited weapon, when he was arrested.

Investigators learned the minivan had been reported stolen Sunday.

The two other people who fled the scene remain unknown, police said. Police asked anyone with information about the incident to call Gypsumville RCMP at 204-659-2682 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).