Manitoba First Nations Police officers said they followed a trail of discarded personal items after two suspects fled a scene, and following that trail led them to an arrest and a firearm seizure on Sandy Bay First Nation.
In a release, police said they approached two men near a dirt bike when one individual transferred a backpack to the second men and fled the area on the bike. The second men, now in possession of the backpack, also fled on foot into the bushes.
From there, police said a foot pursuit ensued, aided by a police service dog and areal drones. During the chase, officers followed a trail of discarded items they allege belong to the suspect, including boots, clothing, and personal effects. They also allege some items were intentionally concealed.
Eventually, officers found a backpack matching the description of the one the suspect had allegedly been using.
“Upon examination, officers located a loaded semi-automatic .22 caliber rifle (GSG-16 style) inside the backpack,” reads the release. “The firearm contained one round in the chamber and was accompanied by two fully loaded magazines (approximately 60 rounds). Additional items located within the bag included ammunition, a cell phone, a crack pipe, gloves, and other personal effects.”
The investigation remains ongoing as officers work to locate all individuals involved.
