Meth-addled man jailed after throwing bricks at first responders, police say

A 40-year-old Winnipeg man who stood on arooftop and threw bricks at police officers huddled below him is in custody.

Police spent seven hours trying to calm down the reportedly meth-fueled man, who policedescribed as being visibly agitated and exhibiting erratic behaviour, while he was standingatop a Winnipeg roof on William Avenue, near Sherbrook Street, beginning Monday morning.

At times, he threw bricks he yanked from a chimney and rocks atemergency personnel below him. Police say six officers and three membersof the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service narrowly avoided being hit.

Winnipeg police responded to the man on a roofonMonday at 8:40 a.m.

The officers tried to speak to the man but he was uncooperative. It is believed he had consumed methamphetamine, police say.

Due to the man's unwillingness to cooperate with police and concerns for his health, crisis negotiators, tactical support team membersand the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service were called in to help.

At one point during the seven-hour impasse, the manjumped onto the roof of a neighbouring building where he continued toscream and throw rocks at vehicles, apartment windows and emergency responders, police say.

He was safely removed from the rooftop at 3:20 p.m. by the tactical support team. He was treated for minor injuries at hospital.

Two vehicles sustained significant damage and three residential windows were broken by the man's actions, according to police.

The suspect has beencharged with six counts of assaulting peace officers, three charges of assault with a weapon and six charges of mischief under.