On September 29, 2025, at 8:20 am, Gillam RCMP received a report from a 25-year-old female, from Bunibonibee Cree Nation, that she had just escaped from a vehicle after being held against her will at a residence over a 48-hour period.
Officers attended to a business, located on Mattonnabee Avenue in Gillam, and met with the victim.
She disclosed to the officers that she had attended to a bar in Thompson and met with a male and female where they consumed several beverages. The victim believes she had been drugged as she later awoke in a vehicle as they were arriving in Gillam.
The victim was forcefully taken inside a residence where, over the course of the next 48 hours, was held against her will. She stated she had been repeatedly assaulted, had a firearm pointed at her and was threatened with physical harm if she tried to leave the residence.
On the morning she was able to call police, the victim had been placed into a vehicle where the two suspects and her drove to the grocery store to pick up food. She escaped from the vehicle and called police.
With this information in hand, and over the course of the week, Gillam RCMP, with assistance of officers from the North District CREST unit, conducted a thorough investigation into the allegations in an effort to identify and obtain the evidence necessary to arrest the two suspects believed responsible.
On October 7, as a result of this work, RCMP arrested 41-year-old Crystal Nepitabo, of Gillam, who was charged with Kidnapping with a firearm, Forcible confinement and Theft under $5000. She was remanded into custody.
Gillam RCMP have identified the second suspect involved in this kidnapping but have yet to locate him and believe he has fled the area.
An Unendorsed Warrant of Arrest has been issued for 36-year-old Riley Champagne, of Gillam, who has been charged with numerous offences including Kidnapping with firearm, Forcible confinement, Assault with a weapon, Assault, Point firearm, Carrying concealed weapon and other weapons-related offences.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Riley Champagne is asked to contact the Gillam RCMP at 204-652-2200, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.
Gillam RCMP continue to investigate.
