The arrest of a man who allegedly stole a vehicle with a toddler inside and led police on a highway pursuit is now under investigation.
On Aug. 2, the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba (IIU) announced it would be looking into the incident after injuries to the suspect were reported.
The suspect, a 42-year-old man from Medicine Hat, Alta., stole a truck from Coutts’ Convenience in Creighton on July 31 and drove toward Flin Flon. The vehicle, which was left running, had a three-year-old girl strapped in the back seat.
Over the next hour, members of the Cranberry Portage, Creighton, Flin Flon and The Pas RCMP detachments tailed the suspect’s vehicle. A spike belt was used to stop the vehicle. Shortly after hitting the belt, the vehicle collided with another vehicle and the driver escaped into the woods. The child was recovered, uninjured, inside the vehicle.
After fleeing the scene, the suspect was discovered hiding under a parked vehicle and was arrested. He now faces six charges, including vehicle theft, kidnapping without a weapon, abduction of a person under 16 and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.
At some point during the pursuit, the suspect suffered a laceration caused by a police dog and a fractured rib. According to a press release issued by IIU, the injuries, particularly the injured rib, are the reason for the investigation.
“As a fractured rib is defined as a serious injury under IIU regulations, the agency is mandated to investigate,” reads a release issued by the IIU.
As part of the investigation, the IIU is currently looking for any witnesses or individuals with information or video footage relating to the incident and arrest.
A communications officer with the IIU confirmed that no further information will be provided until the investigation is finished, adding there is no expected time for the investigation to end.
