Lac du Bonnet RCMP are reporting that an 18-year-old local area man has been arrested and is facing charges in connection to a recent armed robbery and residential fire that occurred in the community.
On October 15, 2021, at approximately 12:55pm, Lac du Bonnet RCMP responded to a report of an armed robbery at a gas station located on Minnewawa Street in Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba.
Officers were advised that a male suspect had approached a female at the business, pulled a knife, and stole her vehicle. The 60-year-old woman was not physically injured as a result of the incident.
Police say that the suspect was last seen driving the stolen vehicle at a high rate of speed, traveling south on Highway 11.
Patrols were conducted down Highway 11 and the stolen vehicle was eventually located. Police noted that the vehicle had been involved in a single-vehicle rollover at the intersection of Highway 11 and Highway 44. It is believed that the suspect had been driving too fast to make the turn onto Highway 44, rolling the vehicle as a result.
As officers arrived at the scene of the collision, the suspect was observed fleeing the scene on foot and was apprehended a short distance away. Several bystanders reported that the suspect had attempted to carjack another vehicle without success and fled.
RCMP report that an 18-year-old Lac du Bonnet man was arrested, taken into custody and transported to hospital for a medical assessment.
While the suspect remained in custody, officers were advised of a house fire at a location on Leslie Avenue in Lac du Bonnet. The home was later determined to be the home of the accused. The local fire department attended and extinguished the blaze, but the home suffered extensive damage.
RCMP believe that he fire had been deliberately set. Lac du Bonnet RCMP, along with the Office of the Fire Commissioner continue to investigate.
