Teen girl faces weapons charges linked to rural Manitoba break-ins

A teenage girl faces multiple weapons charges after she was found in a truck stolen during a string of thefts in rural southwestern Manitoba.

On Sunday, three break-ins were reported in the rural municipality of North Norfolk, west of Portage la Prairie, between 3:30 and 8:30 a.m., RCMP said in a news release Monday.

The burglars, who residents reported had at least one firearm, took items including off-road vehicles, power tools and a brown-and-cream-coloured pickup truck, Mounties said Monday.

After the thefts, Manitoba First Nations police were asked to watch for two stolen trucks that might be headed to Sandy Bay First Nation, the Manitoba First Nations Police Service said in a news release that gave more details about the Sunday arrest.

They spotted a Ford and a Dodge around 6 a.m. on Highway 50 near Sandy Bay First Nation, the Thursday news release said.

Officers tried to stop the trucks, but the Dodge turned onto a gravel road, while the Ford continued down the highway.

Police followed the Ford, and the Dodge came back onto the highway behind the police vehicle, police said. The two trucks tried to box in the patrol unit and force it off the road, police allege.

Police waited for backup units and the Dodge left the highway again, the news release said.

When backup units arrived, police continued pursuing the Ford north on Highway 50.

The truck stopped at the entrance to Sandy Bay First Nation and the driver, the only occupant, got out and was arrested, police said. The Dodge fled the area.

Officers found four firearms and ammunition in the Ford truck, police said in Thursday's news release.

The 17-year-old girl from Sandy Bay First Nation who got out of the Ford has been charged with four counts of unauthorized possession of a firearm, flight from a peace officer and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

She was released with numerous conditions.