Four individuals reportedly engaged in theft on a rural property in Manitoba were confronted by the property owner wielding a gun, who subsequently fired at their vehicles, according to the RCMP. The suspects and the 66-year-old property owner are now facing charges.
On August 15, the four individuals initially visited the property and returned in the evening with two vehicles later confirmed to be stolen from Watrous, Saskatchewan, as per the RCMP. The motion-activated security camera on the property was triggered, prompting the owner to head to the location in the rural municipality of Dufferin, near Carman in south-central Manitoba, the RCMP stated in a news release on Tuesday.
The property owner witnessed the suspects taking fuel and confronted them, leading to shots being fired at the two stolen vehicles. Three of the individuals remained at the scene until the police arrived around 10:45 p.m. and were apprehended, while the fourth individual fled in a stolen vehicle, according to the release.
Allegedly, various stolen items from the property were discovered in the back of a stolen truck used by the suspects, as claimed by the RCMP. A 29-year-old man is facing charges including theft, mischief, trespassing, possession of stolen property, possession of break-in tools, and failure to comply with previous release conditions. Additionally, he was charged with possession of a weapon for carrying a baseball bat, as stated by the police.
A 47-year-old man is also charged with theft, mischief, trespassing, possession of stolen property, and possession of break-in tools, while a 41-year-old woman is accused of the same offenses but has not yet been formally charged.
The 66-year-old property owner is facing charges of careless use of a firearm, using a firearm in the commission of a crime, and reckless discharge of a firearm.
In an email to CBC, an RCMP spokesperson emphasized that while Canadians have the right to protect themselves and their property, any use of force must be reasonable and proportionate to the threat. It is recommended that property owners prioritize their safety and contact the police rather than directly confronting intruders to avoid escalating risks for all parties involved.
The two male theft suspects remain in police custody, while the woman and the property owner have been released on undertakings. Authorities are still searching for the individual who fled in the stolen vehicle, which was discovered the following morning in a canola field a few kilometers away.
