RCMP Traffic Services, along with Steinbach and St. Pierre-Jolys RCMP, were recently involved in a dangerous driving incident that led to three individuals being charged with multiple offenses.
On July 15, 2018, at approximately 12:30am, an officer driving an RCMP Traffic Services cruiser activated the vehicle’s lights and sirens to stop an SUV that was being driven erratically and dangerously on Highway 12 near Loewen Boulevard in Steinbach, MB. Upon seeing the police vehicle, the driver of the SUV changed direction and drove into the wrong lane of traffic, forcing oncoming vehicles off the road.
A check of the vehicle by the officer confirmed that the SUV was stolen and possibly being driven by an armed and violent suspect wanted on several warrants. The SUV continued to drive in a very dangerous manner.
Several additional police vehicles from Steinbach and St. Pierre-Jolys responded to the area. As the vehicle was traveling west on Highway 52 near the intersection of Industrial Boulevard, a spike belt was successfully deployed. The suspect continued to travel on flat tires for 2 kilometres before turning into a field. It was at this time that the SUV was stopped by police vehicles.
Police say that the suspect, who had armed himself with a machete, along with a female passenger, refused to listen to police commands and had to be extracted from the vehicle by officers. Police noted that a curved knife and methamphetamine was also located within the vehicle.
Three officers and the suspect sustained minor injuries during this incident, as well, two police vehicles sustained damaged.
“This was a high-risk arrest with an armed and combative suspect who refused to comply with police,” said Superintendent Joanne Keeping, East District Commander for the Manitoba RCMP. “Our officers quickly recognized the danger and acted immediately to take him into custody to protect public safety.”
RCMP report that 38-year-old Ashley Sandison from the RM of Reynolds, along with the driver of the vehicle, have been charged with 14 offences in relation to this incident. Sandison has been remanded into custody and appeared in Winnipeg Provincial Court on July 17, 2018. The passenger, Amber Mann, a 20-year-old female from Beausejour, is also facing numerous charges. Mann has been remanded into custody and appeared in Winnipeg Provincial Court on July 16, 2018.
