Thieves wanted after 'very unsettling' armed break-ins reported in rural Manitoba community
PCs say armed property crime growing in rural Manitoba, while NDP argues funding increase
A rural community in western Manitoba was hit by a string of armed break-ins over several hours early Sunday morning, police say.
There were three break-ins reported in the rural municipality of North Norfolk, west of Portage la Prairie, between 3:30 and 8:30 a.m. Sunday, RCMP said in a news release.
Police believe the same group was responsible for all of the break-ins.
Numerous people believed to have a firearm or firearms were described entering properties with a vehicle and stealing items, police said.
The burglars got into shops on the properties and took items including off-road vehicles, power tools and, in one instance, a brown-and-cream-coloured pickup truck, RCMP said.
Community in shock
Shawn Klippenstein says his son's farm in MacGregor, Man., was robbed early Sunday morning, adding his son had just awoken when he saw intruders on his farm through surveillance footage.
"He locked the doors and flipped the lights on, and then they took off," Klippenstein told CBC News.
"Stealing's one thing, but when you've got high-powered rifles and guns — it's a different animal."
WATCH | Security video shows intruders arriving on farm:
Klippenstein said his son didn't know who the perpetrators were.
He called the situation shocking for the community, but said theft has become common for residents in the last few years.
"It's very unsettling now."
RCMP gave the pickup truck's description and licence plate number to the Manitoba First Nations Police Service.
A 17-year-old girl from Sandy Bay First Nation was arrested in Sandy Bay around 6 a.m. Sunday, after she was found alone in the truck.
No one was injured in the break-ins, police said.
The three incidents continue to be investigated, but police say they have limited details about everything that was stolen.
Anyone with information about the break-ins is asked to contact RCMP at 204-857-4445 or send an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or on their website.
Crime a growing concern in rural areas, says MLA
The matter came up during question period Monday in the Manitoba Legislature.
Jodie Byram, the Progressive Conservative MLA for Agassiz, said armed property crime is not isolated to MacGregor but has been widespread throughout her constituency, in communities like Plumas, Glenella and Brookdale.
"It's gut-wrenching to see people unloading out of a vehicle in a farmyard with assault rifles," she said.
Despite crime being a "bigger and growing concern" in rural Manitoba, Byram said Manitoba's NDP government continues to focus on crime in Winnipeg, while falling short of some of their election campaigns on justice.
"They've talked about bail reform, but they have failed to bring a plan forward on that. They need to do a little bit more than security cameras at this point," she said, while calling on the government to bolster security support in rural communities.
Justice Minister Matt Wiebe said the government has increased funding to address crime and safety across the province — including to local law enforcement.
"The work has started by going across the province and listening to communities … finding those initiatives that could really make a difference," he said.
With files from Chelsea Kemp and Ian Froese