A Winnipeg police vehicle is photographed at a scene in Winnipeg, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski)
A dramatic police pursuit involving a stolen pickup truck ended in explosions and a house fire in Winnipeg’s West End Friday evening.
Just before 6 p.m., officers spotted a previously reported stolen Ford F-250 driving north on Home Street between Portage Avenue and St. Matthews Street. In an effort to stop the vehicle, officers parked their cruiser across the lane to block traffic.
Police say the driver of the truck briefly stopped before reversing into a civilian vehicle behind him. He then drove toward the officers, who were standing outside their cruiser. Officers discharged their firearms as the truck advanced.
The suspect vehicle swerved onto the east boulevard and sped north, eventually colliding with a second police cruiser near St. Matthews Avenue. The impact caused the truck to crash into a home in the 500 block of Home Street.
A fire broke out following the crash and spread to a large fuel tank in the truck’s bed, which exploded — igniting both the vehicle and the house.
The driver, a 48-year-old man, and a 29-year-old female passenger fled the scene on foot but were arrested shortly after by responding officers. No injuries were reported.
The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba has taken over the investigation.
