Brandon Police Service Media Release On March 11 2018, Police received a report that a female suspect stole a charity donation box off a counter of a business in the 1600 Block of Princess Avenue. Video surveillance was obtained and a photograph of the suspect was distributed on Social Media to assist in identifying the suspect. On Thursday afternoon, the suspect turned herself into Police and was arrested for Theft Under $5000. Further investigation revealed that the same female forged a Government cheque by altering the amount and cashed the forged document at a financial institution on March 12. The suspect was additionally arrested for Forgery and Utter Forged Document. She was released and is scheduled to appear in Court in May.

Five new members have been appointed to the Manitoba Hydro-Electric Board, ensuring the work of the corporation can continue and provide stability for Manitoba ratepayers, Crown Services Minister Cliff Cullen announced today. “The five new appointees to the board come from diverse sectors and bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the work of the corporation,” said Cullen.  “Our government is confident and excited that these qualified and capable individuals are willing to take up the challenges that lay ahead of Manitoba Hydro and that they will work in the best interest of the corporation and of all Manitobans.” The newly-appointed directors are Marina James (chair), Michael Moore (vice-chair), Lisa Meeches, Melanie McKague and Wade Linden. James has been the chief executive officer of WinnipegREALTORS since 2016. Prior to that, she served as president and chief executive officer of Economic Development Winnipeg, where she provided leadership, strategy and oversight to all aspects of economic development, investment attraction for business, emerging technology opportunities, community and social development and tourism development services. She holds a master of business administration from the University of Guelph as well as several real-estate related certifications. Moore recently retired from serving as the president of the Manitoba Home Builders Association and is currently a consultant for the Urban Development Institute. He previously served as regional vice president of the Nature Conservancy of Canada and has served on numerous boards provincially and federally. Meeches is the president and executive producer of Eagle Vision Inc. and Meeches Video productions, two Winnipeg-based production companies. She has received numerous awards and nominations, including the 2007 National Aboriginal Achievement Award for Media and Communication and the 2009 YMCA-YWCA Woman of Distinction Award in the area of creative communications. McKague is the senior legal counsel for Bell Canada. She previously served as the director of corporate communications and community investment for MTS. She holds a bachelor of commerce degree from Queen’s University and a law degree from the University of Manitoba. She has also served on various boards including the Bumper Crop Early Learning Centre and SEED (Supporting Employment and Economic Development). Linden was most recently the operations director at Southport Aerospace Centre Inc. He was responsible for the airport and safety management system and part of negotiations on a long-term contact with the Department of National Defense for military flight training. He continues to serve as special projects advisor for Southport and has served on numerous community boards. Cliff Graydon is the MLA for Emerson and continues to serve on the board. Prior to his election to the provincial legislature, he was a farmer in the Woodmore area and a founding member of the Manitoba Beef Producers.  He has also served on several other agriculture and conservation boards. “Our government wishes to thank the outgoing members of the Manitoba Hydro board for their service and for the work they have done on behalf of all Manitobans and recognize the significant challenges that they were met with in terms of the financial position of the corporation,” said Cullen.

Brandon Police Service Media Release At approximately 10:20 p.m., Police responded to a schoolyard in the 1200 Block of 22nd Street for a report of a group of people damaging property.  A 21-year-old man from Brandon was located in the area and found to be in possession of bolt cutters. Investigation revealed that the suspect used the bolt cutters to cut a chain link fence so he could pass through the grounds without walking around. The male was arrested for Possession of Break-In Instruments and Mischief to Property. He was released to attend Court in May.

Brandon Police Service Media Release On March 20th at approximately 4:20 a.m., Police responded to a complaint of a snowmobile driving in a back lane in the area of 4th Street North. Police located and attempted to stop the snowmobile however, it sped off refusing to stop. Officers were able to establish a perimeter around the snowmobile and maintain visual contact as it continued attempts to evade officers. The suspect crossed residential yards, open fields and the Assiniboine River in attempts to escape. At one point, the suspect fell off the snowmobile near Dinsdale Park but managed to get back on and continue to drive away. The suspect then drove west on the river to 18th Street and eventually outside the city. At approximately 5:40 a.m., Police located the snowmobile north of the river and west of 50th Street however the suspect was gone. Police k-9 conducted a track and at 6:42 a.m., an officer observed the suspect hunkered down alongside Grand Valley Road. The suspect then again fled on foot back towards the river. Officers maintained the perimeter and the K-9 unit continued to track the suspect. The suspect eventually ran out onto the 3100 Block of McDonald Avenue and was taken into custody at approximately 7:30 a.m. The 29-year-old man from Killarney Manitoba was arrested for Theft Over $5000, Obstruct Police Officer and Flight from Police. The male was transported to hospital for injuries sustained as a result of falling off the snowmobile and crashing the machine. He is scheduled to appear in Court on Monday.  Investigation continues with respect to the details surrounding the theft of the snowmobile. On March 19th at approximately 8:15 p.m., Police attempted to stop a 1997 Ford Crown Victoria for driving with expired registration. The vehicle refused to stop and fled at a high rate of speed. Officers pursued the vehicle on 1st North however due to the extreme speeds and erratic driving of the suspect, Police abandoned the pursuit near the trans Canada Highway. The continued investigation revealed that this suspect was the same male arrested in relation to the stolen snowmobile incident.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Manitoba Facebook Late yesterday morning, RCMP Westman Traffic Services received a complaint from Manitoba Hydro workers regarding crews replacing hydro poles along Hwy #10 in the Minto area, approximately 50 km south of Brandon. Their complaint stated that semi-trucks were passing through the 60 km/h construction zone at such high speeds that the crews up the hydro poles were actually being shaken and the poles were swaying. RCMP sent an officer to the area and in 3 hours issued 14 tickets for speeding in a construction zone and one ticket for driving with no license. The worst offender was caught travelling 110 km/h in the 60 km/h construction zone and did not possess a valid license. The driver was fined $1,359 for the speeding and $298 for driving without a license, in addition to a serious offence notice, which requires the driver to appear before MPI within 5 days.