A 29-year-old woman is facing nearly a dozen charges after she stole a vehicle from a hotel parking lot and led police on a chase around parts of the city.

According to the Winnipeg Police Service, the vehicle was stolen from the 1800 block of Ellice Avenue around 10:00 pm on March 13, 2023, with two children inside.

The suspect allegedly got behind the wheel of the vehicle and drove off. The children pleaded with the driver to stop the vehicle but she refused and continued to drive for another ten minutes before stopping and letting the children out.

About 50 minutes after the ordeal began officers spotted the vehicle near Ness Avenue and Century Street but the driver sped off as officers attempted to stop it. Air 1 picked up the chase and was able to direct officers on the ground.

At 10:56 pm a second stop was attempted near Erin Street and Richard Avenue. The suspect side-swiped a patrol unit and continued to flee.

Police say that about 10 minutes later the suspect hit a vehicle on Pembina Highway causing both vehicles to spin out of control. The driver of the hit vehicle suffered minor injuries. The driver of the stolen vehicle continued to flee but within two minutes crashed into another vehicle at Grant Avenue and Stafford Street. No injuries were reported in the crash but the vehicles suffered significant damage. The driver of the stolen vehicle fled on foot.

Shortly after the crash the suspect was located nearby and taken into custody.

Meghan Deanna Harper was charged for her alleged involvement with Theft of Motor Vehicle, two counts of Kidnapping, two counts of Forcible Confinement, Flight While Pursued by Peace Officer, Operation of a Conveyance While Impaired to Any Degree by BAC or Drug or a Combination of Both, Within 2 hours of Ceasing to Operate a Conveyance is Impaired with BAC Equal or Over 80mgs, Drive without licence or with invalid licence (Highway Traffic Act) and  two counts of Driver Fail to Exchange Particulars – To Driver (Highway Traffic Act).

Harper was detained in custody.