(stock photo) Source: BPS News Release On May 12, 2022 at approximately 9:10 am, police responded to a report of a robbery at a business in the 800 block of 18th street N. Investigation revealed that two suspects entered the business and demanded to know where the merchandise was stored.  The suspects then threatened the employee to turn over approximately $40,000 worth of cellular devices. The suspects drove away in a newer Mazda CX5 or CX8.  The Manitoba licence plate on the vehicle, did not match the vehicle description provided. The two suspects were wearing disposable gloves, with their faces covered.  They are both described as black males.  One of the males is approximately 5”8”.  The second male is said to have been wearing a white hoodie, dark pants, and white sneakers. The employee was not injured.  It is unknown if the suspects were carrying any weapons. The matter is still under investigation and is being led by the BPS Major Crimes Section.

“CRIME STOPPERS WANTED” for: May 6th, 2022 The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in locating this person who is: “WANTED BY POLICE” Monica CHARTRAND (39 yrs) FOR Failing to Attend Court On June 23, 2021, Monica CHARTRAND was stopped in Brandon while operating a stolen vehicle. She was arrested at that time and also found to be in breach of release conditions from the courts. She was held in custody by police for court. After appearing, she was released by the courts and failed to attend subsequent court dates. On November 23rd, 2021, a warrant of arrest was issued for Monica CHARTRAND as her whereabouts is unknown. ***************** If you have any information as to the whereabouts of this person or anyone else “Wanted by Police” you are asked to contact Brandon Crime Stoppers @ 204-727-TIPS (8477), www.brandoncrimestoppers.com or by texting BCSTIP+your message to CRIMES (274637). Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to Call Display. Your call is not recorded and your identity will remain anonymous. Crime Stoppers will pay up to $2000.00 cash for information that leads to the solution of a crime. ****************************************************************** CRIME OF THE WEEK for May 13th, 2022 The Brandon Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in solving a; Theft Over $5000 On May 1st, in the early morning, a suspect stole a heater/trailer that was parked in the 200’ block of 7th Street. The suspect vehicle appears to be a White Ford Super Duty truck with a red slip tank and a backing up alarm on it. On May 10th, the heater/trailer was recovered in Fannystelle, MB. If you have any information on the identity of this suspect or vehicle please call.

The City of Brandon will be raising the Ukrainian flag at City Hall (410 – 9th Street) on Sunday, May 15, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. with a short ceremony to follow.   The ceremony will include greetings from Mayor Rick Chrest and other dignitaries, along with the anthems of both Canada and Ukraine being played.  Residents are encouraged to bring candles, Ukrainian flags, and signs of support. Everyone is invited to come together in solidarity with Ukraine as well as with the many residents of Brandon and Westman who share Ukrainian heritage and Ukrainian ancestry. The flag will be flown at City Hall for 4 days and 4 nights as a show of our solidarity and support with Ukraine.  “Brandon is currently home to many Ukrainians, and people from Ukraine have played a significant role throughout the history of Brandon and our region.” noted Mayor Rick Chrest. “We stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine both at home and abroad against the Russian invasion. We add our voices to the provincial and federal governments that call for Russia to end its aggression so that peace can be restored in the region. We are proud to stand with our community again on Sunday to show the enduring support for the people of Ukraine.”  

Stolen Vehicle Recovered – Suspect Arrested On May 11, 2022 at approximately 11:30 pm, police responded to information that there was a 46-year-old male wanted on outstanding charges, possibly driving a stolen vehicle near the 1800 block of Brandon Ave. Police located the suspect inside a business in the 1000 block of 18th street; he was in possession of the stolen vehicle keys, and the wallet of the vehicle owner.  The suspect was arrested and lodged at Brandon Police Service.  He will appear in court today on new charges of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, And Fail to Comply with Release Order, as well as outstanding charges of Fail to Comply with Released Order X3.  The stolen vehicle and utility trailer were recovered. A 31-year-old female was also arrested for Possession of Property Obtained by Crime in connection to the stolen vehicle.  She was later released and will appear in court on July 14, 2022. Stolen Vehicle/U-Haul Recovered- Suspect Arrested On May 11, 2022, shortly after 2:00 pm, police observed the stolen U-Haul and stopped it in the 1800 block of 17th street E.  The driver, the 48-year-old female driver was arrested.  She was later released and will appear in court on June 27, 2022 on a charge of Theft of Motor Vehicle.

Stino Scaletta of Brandon is the winner of the 2022 Sunrise Credit Union, Our Manitoba Photo Contest. A panel of Sunrise staff selected Scaletta's photo from the 2019 Manitoba Summer Fair as one of the 40 finalists from approximately 400 entries for this year's contest. In April, a week-long public vote on the 40 finalists was held through the ourmanitoba.org website. Scaletta’s photo earned the most nods to be declared the winner. "I like to go to the Manitoba Summer Fair during the fireworks. This allows me to enhance my long exposure shots of the rides with the fireworks." said Scaletta when describing his winning shot, "For this particular image, I wanted to capture the Ferris Wheel and other rides in motion with the fireworks in the background. So, I set my shutter speed at six seconds, and I was firing away (every six seconds) hoping to capture the motion of the rides with the firework explosions." Scaletta has been entering the Our Manitoba Photo Contest from the outset. While Scaletta has been a finalist previously, this is the first time one of his entries has emerged as the winner. "I enter the Sunrise Credit Union's Our Manitoba Photo Contest to see how my pictures compare to the many submissions you get.' said Scaletta, "This contest has hundreds of amazing entries, and being shortlisted is an achievement for me. However, to be voted into your calendar is the cherry on top." Scaletta has reveled in photography for many years and has won other photo contests. He shared some of the keys to achieving quality photos. "I find photography similar to golf. You can't master it, but you can have fun trying. There are 'rules' you can follow to help compose an image. You can learn them in various ways (YouTube, books, or join a photography club – I've done all three)." said Scaletta, "An image with a nice composition will give you a decent chance of getting selected for a calendar. A second tip, for landscapes, get low. A lower perspective will enhance foreground elements which will take your images up a notch." All 13 finalists will receive a canvas print of the winning photograph, be featured in the 2023 Sunrise Credit Union calendar, and have appeared on Sunrise Credit Union's branch TVs and social media channels. In addition, Stino earned the Grant Prize of a $500 One-Year Term Deposit from Sunrise Credit Union. 2022 marked the tenth edition of the Our Manitoba Photo Contest. The unveiling of the grand prize winner on Thursday (May 12) coincided with Manitoba Day.