On December 24, 2024, at 2:15 pm, a Portage la Prairie RCMP officer, who was on patrol, initiated a traffic stop with a vehicle on 8th Street NW and 6th Avenue NW. The officer activated his emergency lights but the vehicle refused to stop. Due to public safety concerns, a pursuit was not initiated.
Police later located the vehicle travelling on Road 70 North, heading towards Provincial Road 240, where officers were able to position a police vehicle in an attempt to deploy a spike belt. A police vehicle was travelling behind the suspect vehicle as well.
The suspect vehicle stopped before hitting the spike belt and reversed into the police vehicle travelling behind it. The suspect then drove over the spike belt and turned south onto Provincial Road 240 where it drove head-on into another arriving police vehicle.
Both vehicles caught fire after impact. Officers exited their vehicles and were able to safely remove the two female occupants who were subsequently placed under arrest.
The two suspects and one officer were taken to local hospital where they were treated and released back to police.
A 30-year old female, from Portage la Prairie, faces charges of Flight from Police and Resist/Obstruct a Police Officer. She was released on an Undertaking to appear in court at a later date.
Michelle WHITFORD, 32, of Portage la Prairie, was remanded into custody on charges including Assault Police Officer with a Weapon, Dangerous Operation of a Conveyance, Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Flight from Police and Resist Arrest.
Portage la Prairie RCMP continue to investigate.
