On March 31, 2023, at approximately 8:25 p.m., a General Patrol unit was near River Avenue and Osborne Street when they observed a sedan with no rear licence plate and the front plate hanging. The vehicle matched the description of one stolen on March 16 from the 100 block of Marion Street and spotted two hours earlier in the Logan–C.P.R. area. The sedan began driving recklessly and fled.
While searching the area, the unit was flagged down by a bystander who indicated the sedan had driven the wrong way down Stradbrook Avenue. Officers subsequently located the vehicle as it travelled westbound on Wellington Crescent and confirmed it to be the stolen sedan.
The vehicle’s three occupants attempted to bail near Academy Road but were contained by responding units. The driver of the stolen sedan subsequently rammed a marked police vehicle and took off, nearly striking an officer.
At approximately 8:41 p.m., the stolen sedan was reacquired on Grant Avenue near the West District Station. AIR1 was assigned and began to track the vehicle as it drove at a high rate of speed. The sedan was monitored as it fled through the Assiniboine Park, Tuxedo and South Tuxedo areas.
With the assistance of AIR1, ground units deployed several tire deflation devices (“Stop Sticks”). As a result, the vehicle’s tires began to deflate, but the driver refused to stop and continued driving as the tires eventually began to disintegrate.
The sedan later entered a parking lot in the Tuxedo Industrial area and rammed two marked police vehicles as they attempted to stop it from fleeing.
At approximately 8:54 p.m., the stolen vehicle, which had sustained significant damage, came to a stop near Sterling Lyon Parkway and Kenaston Boulevard. The three occupants were taken into custody.
General Patrol units continued with the investigation.
Jenelle Leanne Ponace, a 36-year-old female of Winnipeg, has been charged with:
- Assault a Peace Officer with a Weapon x 4
- Flight While Pursued by Peace Officer
- Dangerous Operation of a Conveyance
- Theft of Motor Vehicle
She was also processed on an outstanding arrest warrant for:
- Robbery
- Mischief Under $5,000/Obstruct in Enjoyment
- Possession of a Weapon
- Fail to Comply with Condition of Release Order
A 17-year-old female of Winnipeg has been charged with:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
She was also processed on two outstanding arrest warrants for:
- Fail to Comply with Sentence
- Fail to Attend Court - Release Order
Both were detained.
A 36-year-old female of Winnipeg is facing charges of:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
She was released on an Undertaking (as mandated by the Criminal Code).