RCMP in Neepawa are asking for the public’s help locating a man wanted in connection with an assault reported last month. Officers with the Yellowhead & Spruce Plains detachment say 30‑year‑old Lester Pruden remains at large following an incident in June 2026, and investigators are now appealing to residents across several Manitoba communities for information.
Police describe Pruden as 5’9” with a thin build, and note he is known to spend time in McCreary, Sherridon, Dauphin, and Flin Flon. Because those communities span a wide area of the province, RCMP believe local tips will be crucial in narrowing down his whereabouts.
Officers are urging the public not to approach Pruden if spotted. Instead, anyone with information is asked to contact the Neepawa RCMP detachment at 204‑476‑7340. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Manitoba Crime Stoppers at 1‑800‑222‑8477, a 24‑hour service that allows residents to share information without providing their name — an important option in smaller communities where privacy concerns may prevent people from coming forward.
The search for Pruden comes during a busy period for local RCMP. Earlier this month, officers arrested a suspect in a separate assault at a business in Minnedosa, and a home‑invasion investigation last year prompted similar warnings for residents to stay alert and report suspicious activity. Police say these cases underscore why community awareness remains essential — and why any direct contact with wanted individuals should be left to law enforcement.
Anyone with even a small piece of information is encouraged to reach out, especially those living or working in areas Pruden is known to frequent.
