A vehicle being pursued by police sideswiped a patrol unit then crashed into a building rupturing a natural gas line in the process early Friday morning, February 12, 2021.
Officers had attempted a traffic stop near Portage Avenue and memorial Boulevard around 1:30 am after seeing the vehicle commit several Highway Traffic Act offences.
Police say the driver refused to stop, drove through a red light and sped away. Officers did not pursue from the ground due to safety concerns but did call in AIR-1 who was able to follow the vehicle as it wound its way through Wolsely in an attempt to evade police.
Air-1 directed officers to a back lane between Furby Street and Langside Street. As the vehicle travelled northbound in the lane police blocked both ends. The driver of the fleeing vehicle sideswiped a police patrol unit in the lane the lost control, spun and hit the apartment building.
The suspect was taken into custody.
Residents in the area of the gas leak were evacuated as emergency crews worked to repair the ruptured line. Winnipeg Transit buses were called in to provide temporary shelter. Residents were able to return to their apartments around 3:45 am
47-year-old Robbie Kent McLean was charged for his alleged involvement with Dangerous Operation of Conveyance, Flight While Pursued by Police, and Operate a Conveyance While Prohibited. He was also wanted on an arrest warrant for two counts of Fail to Comply with Probation.
McLean was detained in custody.
© News4.ca 2021
