Selkirk RCMP have arrested two individuals from Winnipeg in relation to a recent carjacking incident that occurred in the Rural Municipality of St. Clements. Both suspects are facing numerous weapon and assault related charges.
On September 25, 2021, at approximately 12:40am, Selkirk RCMP received a report of a carjacking that occurred at a location on Highway 59, just south of Ocean Drive in the RM of St. Clements, Manitoba. It was further reported that the carjackers were impersonating police officers and had a firearm.
Initial police investigation determined that a vehicle, with red and blue lights, stopped an SUV with two female occupants. A male suspect then approached the SUV and asked for identification and registration. When the females questioned the male, he revealed a firearm and made the females exit the vehicle and give him their cell phones. The male then took off in the victims’ vehicle traveling south on Highway 59. Police noted that the male suspect was not wearing a police uniform.
Officers responded immediately and quickly located the victims’ vehicle on Highway 59 near Highway 44.
RCMP report that the suspect driving the vehicle, attempted to ram a police vehicle. Officers had to use a spike belt to disable the vehicle. When the vehicle was stopped, 40-year-old Ryan Demchuk of Winnipeg was arrested without incident.
Upon arrival at the Selkirk RCMP Detachment Demchuk assaulted an officer and a guard. He has since been charged with numerous offences including robbery with a firearm, assault with a weapon and personating a police officer.
With one suspect in custody, police continued to patrol for the suspect vehicle used in the carjacking. The area was contained, and at the time, there was no immediate threat to public safety.
Police say that at approximately 4:50am, officers patrolling in Selkirk stopped an SUV traveling north on Main Street. As a result, the male driver and female passenger were arrested. Police noted that the male suspect had a knife hidden on his person that was located during arrest.
A search of the vehicle found drugs, illegal cigarettes and several weapons, including an airsoft gun that looked like a handgun and a set of red and blue lights. The occupants of the vehicle, 38-year-old Sean Demchuk and 28-year-old Chelsea Flewelling, both from Winnipeg, are facing multiple charges related to this incident.
RCMP report that all suspects are remanded in custody and investigation into these crimes continues.
