Two Winnipeg men are facing numerous charges, including weapons possession, after recently being arrested by Steinbach RCMP.
On November 25, 2016 at approximately 6:10pm, Steinbach RCMP members were investigating an earlier report of a stolen Bobcat skid-steer and observed a truck and trailer on Fire Road 13 in the area where the Bobcat was reportedly last seen. When Members attempted to stop the truck, the vehicle fled the scene. Members followed the vehicle and with the assistance of the other Steinbach RCMP Members, a roadblock was set up in an attempt to stop the vehicle.
Police say that the vehicle attempted to evade the roadblock, and when unable to do so, rammed one of the Police vehicles. A 40-year-old male passenger from Winnipeg, Ricky Coltman, exited the vehicle and was subsequently arrested. The vehicle continued to flee and it was reported that the driver of the truck was in possession of a hand gun.
The vehicle then fled down nearby power lines until it became stuck. The occupants of the truck abandoned the vehicle and fled into the woods on foot. Cst. Henderson and Enzo, RCMP Dog Services, were dispatched. In excess of two hours later, Cst. Henderson and Enzo located a 42-year-old Winnipeg area man, Shawn Verestiuk, hiding in a pile of brush. Verestiuk was arrested at that time.
Subsequently, Steinbach RCMP, with the assistance of Cst. Henderson and Enzo, were able to locate a loaded semi-automatic rifle that had seven rounds in the magazine. This rifle was observed to have been thrown from the vehicle. Officers also located dozens of rifle rounds inside the vehicle.
RCMP report that Ricky Coltman and Shawn Verestiuk were remanded into custody and are facing charges that include weapons possession, aggravated assault on a police officer, possession of property obtained by crime and numerous other charges.
