Winnipeg police have identified the woman killed Monday morning after she evaded officers in a high speed pursuit and crashed into a building on Portage Avenue.
Brandi Melissa Manningway, 27, of Winnipeg, fled from police at around 1:20 a.m. after being spotted in relation to a convenience store robbery an hour earlier in Charleswood.
Police began chase in the area of Empress Street and Portage Avenue, but lost sight of the vehicle due to high rates of speed. The SUV crashed moments later into the Buhler Building at the corner of Portage Avenue and Good Street.
Manningway succumbed to her injuries in hospital.
A 30-year-old man, who was a passenger in the vehicle, fled on foot but was arrested a short time later.
Police say the pair had been involved in several commercial robberies, including the theft of gas.
They include:
- November 22 – 2:30 a.m. – 1800 block of Portage Avenue
- November 22 – 5:45 a.m. – 500 block of Keenleyside Avenue
- November 22 – 11:55 p.m. – Theft of gas in the 6600 block of Roblin Boulevard
- November 23 – 12:25 a.m. – 500 block of Dale Boulevard
- November 23 – 1:15 a.m. – 1700 block of Portage Avenue
Manningway is said to have been involved in the last three incidents.
Matthew Alexander Bartlett has been charged with four counts of robbery with a weapon, four counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, theft under $5,000, and five counts of breach of probation.
He remains in custody.
Police and the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba continue to investigate.
