Four individuals who were allegedly involved in theft on a rural Manitoba property were confronted by the property owner brandishing a firearm, leading to shots fired at their vehicles, according to the RCMP. The suspects and the 66-year-old property owner now face charges in connection with the incident.
The four individuals initially visited the property on August 15 and returned later in the evening, driving two vehicles that were confirmed to have been stolen from Watrous, Saskatchewan, RCMP reported. They triggered a motion-activated security camera, prompting the property owner to head to the property located in the rural municipality of Dufferin, a vast area encompassing Carman in south-central Manitoba, as stated in an RCMP news release on Tuesday.
Upon arrival, the property owner witnessed the suspects taking fuel and confronted them, resulting in shots fired at the two vehicles. Three individuals remained at the scene until the police arrived around 10:45 p.m. and took them into custody, while the fourth suspect fled in a stolen vehicle, the release added.
Authorities alleged that various items believed to have been stolen from the property were discovered in the back of a stolen truck utilized by the suspects. 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 wielding a baseball bat. A 47-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman are also charged with theft, mischief, trespassing, possession of stolen property, and possession of break-in tools.
The 66-year-old property owner is facing charges of careless use of a firearm, using a firearm in the commission of an offense, and reckless discharge of a firearm. 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. The spokesperson advised property owners to prioritize their safety and contact the police rather than confront intruders directly.
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 recovered the following morning in a canola field a few kilometers away.
