Source: https://www.facebook.com/rcmpmb Update 2 – Major Crime Services investigating homicide in western Manitoba The investigation into the homicide of James Vernon Giesbrecht is now at a place where police can release further information relating to the 2007 Honda Accord and where the remains of the victim were located. Giesbrecht’s remains were located in the trunk of the burned out Honda Accord. The burned vehicle was located on October 13, 2022, just south of the intersection of Road 108 West and Road 51 North in the RM of Cornwallis. A complete forensic examination has taken place on the vehicle, with the assistance of a Forensic Anthropologist from the Brandon University Department of Anthropology. Police located physical evidence that has been sent to the Forensic Laboratory for forensic DNA testing. Additional searches in relation to the homicide have taken place, which have helped police collect further evidence in this investigation. However, investigators are still looking to the public to provide any information they may have in relation to this incident by calling the Major Crime Services Tip Line at 1-431-489-8110. ============================ Update – Major Crime Services investigating homicide in western Manitoba Investigation into the death of James Vernon Giesbrecht, 37, from Brandon, has revealed a connection between his death and a grey 2007 Honda Accord with a Saskatchewan licence plate. The vehicle was seen in the Brandon area, between October 5-13, 2022. Officers know the vehicle was stolen from Regina, Saskatchewan, but are looking for more information about the whereabouts of the vehicle as well as anyone who was seen driving the vehicle. Police continue to ask the public to call with any information related to this investigation. Please call the Major Crime Services Tip Line at 1-431-489-8110. ============================== Major Crime Services investigating homicide in western Manitoba In early October, 2022, Blue Hills RCMP responded to a rural area on the outskirts of the City of Brandon in the RM of Cornwallis. Upon arrival, officers located what appeared to be human remains. An investigation, led by Major Crime Services, was immediately launched. Over the course of the past four months, investigators have worked closely with a Forensic Anthropologist from Brandon University as well as the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to identify the remains and determine a cause of death. In January, 2023, RCMP identified the remains as James Vernon Giesbrecht, a 37-year-old male from Brandon. James had been reported missing from the Brandon area on December 12, 2022. His death is being investigated as a homicide. “We believe a number of people encountered and interacted with James in late September and early October,” said Cpl. Julie Courchaine of the Manitoba RCMP. “We need those people to immediately come forward and call the Tip Line at 1-431-489-8110. These individuals likely have vital information about his movements and acquaintances during that time that could significantly help the investigation.” Investigators are asking anyone who may have seen James in late September or early October to contact the RCMP by calling the Major Crime Services Tip Line at 1-431-489-8110. Due to the ongoing investigation, the RCMP cannot provide any additional information.

On the afternoon of 2023-04-17, police received a report of a white Ford E250 work van that was stolen from the 1600 block of Park Avenue.  The vehicle was located unoccupied and in a parking lot of a business which was one block from the original location.  A check of video surveillance revealed a suspect and shortly after a male was reported to be unlawfully entering a vehicle in the 2500 block of Park Avenue.  Police located the male suspect and determined him to match the description of the individual that was captured on surveillance from the van theft.  At the time of arrest the male resisted the efforts of attending officers to place him in handcuffs and a brief struggle ensued.  A 45-year-old male was lodged at BPS to appear 2023-04-18 for the charges of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime and Resist Arrest.

At 647 am on Friday morning, officers responded to a report of an assault on a female that had left her unconscious.  Members attended to the residence at an apartment complex in the 1500 block of 26th St where the victim was located with injuries to her head. She was transported to BRHC by ambulance for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.  The suspect was also located and arrested.  While obtaining person items for the victim from the residence, a sawed off 12 gauge shotgun was found on a couch.  The firearm is the property of the suspect and was seized.  A 24 year old Brandon man will appear in court on Saturday morning on charges of Assault Cause Bodily Harm, Unsafe Storage of a Firearm, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm knowing its Unauthorized, Possess Firearm obtained by Crime, Breach Firearm Prohibition Order X2.

On April 14, 2023 at approximately 1:30 am, police came across a stolen vehicle in the area of the 800 block of Van Horne. The suspect driver would not stop for police, and has since committed numerous traffic offences. The vehicle has significant damage following several hit and runs with other motorists within Brandon and area since it was initially observed. More information will be available following an investigation, which is still in the early stages. The vehicle is described as a brown 2012 Ford F250 with MB license GNT296, and it has extensive damage. Should you observe this vehicle, please call 204-729-2345 or call 911 in the case of an emergency. UPDATE: At approximately 2:00 am on April 14, 2023, the suspect dropped off an adult female passenger near the hospital before evading police again. The female had sustained serious, non-life-threatening injuries as a result of one of the accidents that the suspect vehicle had been in. Police took her to the emergency room to have her injuries treated. The suspect, 42-year-old Dustyn PRICE of Waywayseecappo is WANTED by police for Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle Causing Bodily Harm, Flight From Police, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000, Driving While Prohibited and Fail to Comply with Release Order. He is described as Indigenous, 6’1”, 180 lbs with brown hair and grey eyes. Police continue to investigate these incidents.

The 53rd annual Western Manitoba Science Fair was held on Tuesday April 11, 2023 at the Healthy Living Centre at Brandon University. This year we hosted 332 students with 225 projects from 22 schools around Brandon and Western Manitoba. Our Best of Fair winner is: Diego Gaudet of École La Source, Grade 11, with his project Appétent à l'aversion Our Runners up are: Jessica Tichit of École Harrison, Grade 8, with her project The Transportation & Storage of Electrons Armaan Chaudhari of Vincent Massey High School, Grade 9, with his project Antibiotics: Synthetic and Natural Spencer Pearce of École La Source, Grade 10, with his project Les sons calmes These four students have received an all expenses paid trip to move on to represent Western Manitoba at the Canada Wide Science Fair in Edmonton from May 14-19, 2023! Full details here https://youthscience.ca/science-fairs/cwsf/edmonton-2023/. Full medal winners and special award winners lists are available on our website at https://www.wmsf.com/finalists. Activities on fair day included: Project judging Bubbleman Show STEMinist luncheon hosted by Dr. Bernadette Ardelli Brandon University Science tours hosted by Dr. Chris Lemoine and other BU staff Science Olympics hosted by Let’s Talk Science headed up by Xisra Winder Grades 1-4 award ceremony Grades 7-12 award ceremony