Winnipeg Police Service helicopter AIR-1 was instrumental in the capture of a number of criminals in 2018 including three in the last 25 hours of the year.

December 30, 2018 11:03 pm – Stolen Vehicle

Just after 11:00 pm on December 30, 2018, a police patrol unit ran a check on the plate of a vehicle travelling southbound on Charleswood Road at Rannock Avenue. The plates came back as stolen and belonged to a different vehicle.

Police began following the vehicle but after spotting officers it took off at high speed. Officers pursued and had the stolen vehicle partially blocked in the parking lot of Westdale Junior High School when it drove up onto the sidewalk and once again took off.

AIR-1 was called in and found the vehicle on Brownell Bay. The chopper followed them as they sped down Roblin Boulevard onto the Perimeter Highway and back into the city on Portage Avenue.

Eventually, a stop stick was deployed on Ness Avenue causing the tires to begin to deflate. The vehicle continued, although at much slower speeds, into River Heights along Kenaston Boulevard. Trying to flee the driver drove southbound in the northbound lanes and eventually coming to a stop south of Corydon Avenue.

The driver jumped out of the vehicle as AIR-1 continued to track him and guide ground units who made the arrest.

Blaine Lindsey Malcolm, 33 from Ebb and Flow First Nation, has been charged for his alleged involvement with a number of drug, property and Highway Traffic offences. He was also processed on a number of outstanding warrants and detained in custody.

December 30, 2018 11:48 pm – Stolen Vehicle

Minutes later AIR-1 was called to the north end of the city, again for a stolen vehicle that was speeding through the city.

Police had first noticed the vehicle near Arlington Street and Dufferin Avenue shortly before midnight on December 30, 2018. It had been speeding and ignoring red lights and stop signs.

AIR-1 arrived quickly and police on the ground dropped back as the eyes in the sky could follow the stolen vehicle.

Police were able to deploy a stop stick near Keewatin Street and Manitoba Avenue and the vehicle came to a stop near Notre Dame and Worth Street where the driver jumped out.

AIR-1 coordinated the capture of the suspect, now on foot and he was taken into custody near Bannatyne Avenue West and Cecil Street.

Police say the vehicle had been stolen Christmas Eve/Day from Bridgwater Trails after the keys had been left in a second vehicle that had been broken into.

Ronto Antonio Baptiste, 22 from Winnipeg, has been charged for his alleged involvement with Dangerous Operation of a Conveyance, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000, Fail to Comply with Probation Order, Fail to Comply Condition Recognizance by Judge/Justice (x4) and Drive suspended/while disqualified (Highway Traffic Act).

He was detained in custody.

December 31, 2018 11:47 pm – Armed robber

Minutes before the beginning of the new year police were given information that an armed robbery suspect was leaving an establishment in the 600 block of Erin Street.

AIR-1 was first on scene and took up a position to watch when two men exited and got into a taxi. The cab was followed to a back lane between Agnes Street and McGee Street. As ground offices were in the process of blocking the cab one of the men in the vehicle jumped out and fled on foot.

AIR-1 tracked the suspect as he tried to evade officers by cutting between buildings. He was captured near Portage Avenue and Langside Street.

21-year-old Travis Freddie Ducharme from Winnipeg has been charged for his alleged involvement with:

He was also processed on a number of outstanding warrants and detained in custody.