Firearms crimes reported to the Manitoba First Nations Police Service (MFNPS) ended in multiple arrests and several charges.
On August 22, shortly before 3:00 p.m., MFNPS officers were called out about a man armed with a sawed-off shotgun outside a Sandy Bay First Nation home. According to a police report, the man fled the scene riding an orange UTV.
Officers found the UTV in a field and attempted to make a traffic stop, but the suspect continued to flee. After attempting to enter a bush area, the vehicle became stuck, allowing officers to arrest two suspects, while two more continued their attempts to evade arrest.
A third suspect was arrested a short time later in the bush.
The fourth suspect was seen entering a shed in a nearby yard, and when MFNPS, with the help of the RCMP's Emergency Response Team, entered the building, the suspect was not there, but multiple firearms were found by officers.
The fourth suspect, reported to be in possession of the firearm, was found and arrested later in the evening without any further incident.
34-year-old Lindsey Daniel Houle has been charged with the following offences:
- Unauthorizwed Possession of a Firearm
- Unsafe storage of firearms
- Possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle
- Possession of a firearm with a tampered serial number
- Weapons possession contrary to an order
- Possession of property obtained by crime
He was held in custody to appear in court at a later date.
A 48-year-old man was also charged in this incident and released on an Undertaking to appear in court at a later date.
The other two suspects were released without charge.
MFNPS is requesting that anyone with information regarding this case to contact them by calling (204) 843-7705, anonymously at 1-(833)-978-0048, or to email TIPS@mfnp.ca.