Air1 helicopter helps in drunk driving arrest, Winnipeg police say

The Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) says itshelicopter helped officers catch upto a drunk driver who sped off after police tried to pull him over early Sunday morning.

Police noticed the driver of a GMC Terrain SUV driving "in an unsafe manner" near Osborne Street and Granite Way Sunday at about 1:10 a.m.

Officers tried to get the driver to stop, but he fled toward northbound Edmonton Street from Broadway, committing several traffic infractions in the process, police said.

The crew aboard Air1, the WPS's helicopter, followed the driver and co-ordinated with officers on the ground. The driver eventually parked the vehicle on Clonard Avenue, hopped out and ran off, Air1 operators watching from above all the while.

Patrol officers closed in on the suspect with the help of Air1 and made an arrest.

Police have charged a 26-year-old man with the following offences:

• Drivingwhileability impaired
• Drivingwith more than 80 mgs of alcohol in his blood
• Fleeing while beingpursued by a peace officer
• Dangerous driving
• Resisting arrest
• Possession ofcocaine
• Drivingwithout a licence or with an invalid licence

The suspect remains in police custody.