Teenage car thief facing 68 charges: Winnipeg police

A 17-year-old is in custody facing dozens of charges relating to a rash of vehicle thefts in Winnipeg.

A Winnipeg teenager is facing dozens of charges, including 16 counts of motor vehicle theft, after he was arrested earlier this week.

Winnipeg police spotted a stolen 2013 Nissan Rogue near Lagimodiere Boulevard around 8:45 a.m. Wednesday and started following the vehicle through the area.

Police said multiple units tried to stop the Nissan Rogue on Fermor Avenue, but the driver rammed two police cruisers with the stolen vehicle and then sped off after driving over a spike belt.

Police said officers found the damaged vehicle on nearby Cypress Bay and arrested the 17-year-old male suspect after a short foot chase. Police said they found a folding knife the suspect tossed during the pursuit.

Police said the teen is linked to a string of 16 vehicle thefts in southeast Winnipeg dating back to early December.

In one incident, police said the owner of a 2021 Kia Forte was struck by the vehicle while trying to stop the theft. In another, police allege the teen drove a 2018 Hyundai Elantra into two police cruisers during an attempted traffic stop.

Following his arrest, investigators searched the youth’s home and found additional vehicle keys along with clothing that matched the suspect in surveillance videos.

The 17-year-old is facing 68 charges, including 16 counts of motor vehicle theft, two counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, six counts of assaulting a police officer with a weapon, and 36 counts of failing to comply with prior release orders.

He was detained in custody.