On June 23, at 7:20am, Manitoba RCMP received an emergency call from a homeowner indicating that an injured 16-year-old female was at their house and that she may have been the victim of an abduction. RCMP officers from Steinbach, St-Pierre-Jolys as well as Police Dog Services immediately responded.
Preliminary investigation has determined that the victim was walking her dog on Ste. Annes Road, southeast of Landmark, Manitoba, when a male driver of a pickup truck stopped and asked the victim if she needed a ride. When the victim declined, the male driver forced the victim into the vehicle. As the vehicle was approaching a dead-end on Road 45 North, approximately 4 km east of Landmark, it began to slow. At this time that the victim managed to escape.
Police say that the youth made her way to the nearest residence and police were called. RCMP noted that the victim sustained minor injuries during this incident.
Extensive patrols were made by police, but the suspect and vehicle were not located.
The suspect is described as a clean-cut, 18 to 22-year-old male, approximately 5’8″ tall with a medium build. He has a light-brown complexion, short black hair, and a round face. The suspect truck is described as a black 4-door pickup truck, older model, with a dusty exterior and possibly had been repainted. There is no licence plate information available.
“This is an extremely serious situation but we want to reassure the public that we are doing everything we can to track down the suspect,” said Sgt. Paul Manaigre of the Manitoba RCMP. “We are asking anyone who may have noticed a suspicious vehicle and driver in the area that matches the description provided to immediately contact police.”
Major Crime Services are assisting with the ongoing investigation.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to immediately call the St-Pierre-Jolys RCMP at 204-433-7433 or CrimeStoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477. You can also submit a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.
