On April 23, 2023, at approximately 11:40 p.m., North District General Patrol officers from the Winnipeg Police Service observed a stolen Chevrolet Silverado 2500 operated by a lone male in the North End of the City.
Officers initiated a follow assisted by a Canine Unit (K9) and the Tactical Support Team (TST). The suspect fled from police, and units lost visual contact with the vehicle; however, TST reacquired the vehicle driving southbound in the 400 block of McPhillips Street. As the vehicle reached Fort Street and Broadway Avenue, the suspect rammed a TST vehicle rendering it inoperable. The suspect continued to evade multiple police units and proceeded westbound on Portage Avenue before exiting City boundaries. The TST members involved in the collision later attended hospital and were medically assessed for minor injuries.
Members of the Headingly RCMP detachment, with the assistance of the TST and K9 units, took over the pursuit. With a heavily damaged vehicle, the suspect continued westbound for several kilometres, eventually losing control in a ditch on the west side of Portage-La-Prairie. The suspect was transported to hospital in stable condition to be assessed for upper-body injuries sustained during the earlier impact with the TAC vehicle. RCMP members took the male into custody at approximately 1:00 a.m. and later turned custody over to members of the WPS to continue the investigation. The suspect provided a false name to officers at the time of his arrest.
The Major Crimes Unit assumed the investigation learned the involved stolen vehicle had been reported stolen earlier in the afternoon from the 300 block of Roseberry Street.
Mark Douglas RODGERS, 31, of Winnipeg, is charged with the following offences:
- Assault a Peace Officer with a Weapon x 2
- Dangerous Operation of a Conveyance
- Flight While Pursued by Peace Officer
- Operation of a Conveyance While Prohibited by Order Under Criminal Code
- Identity Fraud – Intent to Avoid Arrest, Prosecution or Obstruct Justice
- Fail to Comply with Probation Order x 2
- Fail to Comply with Condition of Release Order x 4
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
He was detained in custody.
The Major Crimes Unit is continuing the investigation. Anyone with information that may assist investigators is asked to call 204-986-6219 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).