Police warn people to keep cars locked, check plates, after stolen cars lead high-speed chases

Police are warning people to check their licence plates and not leave cars running after a pair of high-speed chases last week.

In one incident, a33-year-old man has been charged with several traffic, drug- and theft-related offences after leading police on a chase through the city in astolen vehicle.

On Dec. 30,just after 11 p.m., police noticed the vehicle at Charleswood Road and Rannock Avenue.

The vehicle had stolen, inactive plates, and the vehicle itself was stolen in the Fort Richmond area twodays earlier after it was left running, according to a news release from the Winnipeg Police Service.

"That speaks to another issue we continue to see whenever the temperatures drop, and that's people leaving their vehicles running," said Const. Jay Murray. "I think any vehicle owner would feel horrible if their vehicle was involved in a serious or fatal collisionsas the result of leaving keys in the vehicle."

When officers tried to follow the vehicle,the driver sped off. When they tried to block the vehicle in a school parking lot, the driver drove up onto the sidewalk, and evaded them.

Watch Air1track the stolen vehicle:

Man facing drug, traffic charges after leading police on chase in stolen vehicle

6 years ago

Duration 2:12

Man facing drug, traffic charges after leading police on chase in stolen vehicle

Air1 helped to track the driver down, and eventually, police were able to stop the driver on Ness Avenue using a "stop stick," which deflated the vehicle's tires.

"It's not likeHollywood videos, where the car will lose control shortly after, but the tire slowly deflates," Murray said. "But it slows down a vehicle and will eventually incapacitate that vehicle."

The vehicle became stuck on Kenaston Boulevard, where the driver got out and tried to run.

He was found hiding in the patio of a home nearKenastonBoulevard, and was taken into custody. The 33-year-old man been charged with dangerous driving, drug possession and possession of stolen property, among other offences.

Car stolen after Bridgwater break-in

The second incident also took place on Dec. 30, at 11:48 p.m.

Police noticed a speeding vehicle near Arlington Street and Dufferin Avenue, which hadn't stopped at several red lights or stop signs. They realized it was stolen, and began following by car and then with Air1.

The car's tires were deflated when it drove through a Stop Stick at Keewatin Street and Manitoba Avenue, and it came to a stop near Nortre Dame Avenue and Worth Street.

Video from Air1shows the driver running through the residential neighbourhood. He was tracked to Bannatyne Avenue West and Cecil Street.

Infrared video from Air1 shows the chase:

Car stolen after Bridgwater break-in

6 years ago

Duration 2:02

Car stolen after Bridgwater break-in

Police say the vehicle was stolen from Bridgwater Trails over Christmas Eve, after its keys had been left into another vehicle that had been broken into.

More thefts of parked vehicles, licence plates

Murray said vehicles are often stolen when it's left running to warm up, when keys are left in the vehicle, or incarjackings.

"Anecdotally, I would feel that the large majority of stolen vehicles in winter are taken because people are warming up their vehicles and they don't think it will happen to them. But all it takes is one person walking by to see that vehicle," he said.

"All it takes is one person who's too cold, or a thief, or someone who wants to get somewhere, to take that vehicle."

He also said swapping licence plates is increasingly becoming an option.

"It's never a bad idea to take a walk around your vehicle before you drive," Murray said. "Thieves know that you're less likely to notice your licence plate being swapped than your vehicle missing."

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