Man facing charges after ramming Winnipeg police vehicle

Winnipeg police say a 24-year-old man is facing charges after ramming a police vehicle on Sunday morning.

WPS says in the early hours of Sept. 28, officers witnessed a red Dodge Ram 1500 driving dangerously during a public event in the Exchange District, where there was heavy pedestrian traffic.

Officers first reportedly noticed the Ram doing burnouts at the intersection of William Avenue and King Street around 1:09 a.m.

Police attempted a traffic stop, but the Ram fled recklessly towards Main Street, where a second traffic stop was attempted; however, the driver again ignored police and fled at high speeds south along Main Street.

Following this, Air1 took over the pursuit and communicated the Ram’s location with units on the ground. This led to a tire deflation device being used, which punctured several tires, forcing the vehicle to come to a stop at the intersection of Dakota Street and St. Mary’s Road.

WPS then boxed in the Ram, but the driver tried to flee by ramming a police SUV before exiting the Ram and trying to flee on foot.

The driver — a 24-year-old man — was taken into custody after a short foot chase, and reportedly continued to be uncooperative.

Police say he is facing charges of assaulting a peace officer, resisting a peace officer, flight while pursued by a peace officer, failing or refusing to comply with a demand, driving while impaired, and dangerous driving.

WPS also notes that alcohol is believed to have been a factor.