Race supports first responders; man wanted by police

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This article was published 05/05/2023 (1271 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Race supports first responders

A local non-profit organization of first responders will host its annual run or bike road race in Brandon on June 4.

Project Resilience 911 is an organization of volunteering first responders in the Brandon and surrendering area. Volunteers come from many different first responder organizations, including Brandon Police Service, RCMP “D” division, Shared Health EMS, Brandon Fire and EMS, Brandon Corrections, Manitoba First Nations Police, and mental health workers from Prairie Mountain Health.

The organization provides peer support for first responders, who often encounter situations that affect their mental health.

Katie Chappellaz, a paramedic with Shared Health EMS who volunteers with Project Resilience, told the Sun if a police officer were involved in a shooting, the organization would pair them up with a volunteer who has experienced a similar situation.

“People call us heroes,” Chappellaz said. “But we also do struggle with some things that we see and we’re not immune to it.”

The paramedic said the purpose of the race is to raise awareness about the issue of mental health for first responders and break the stigma associated with it.

The half-marathon will begin at 10 a.m. June 4 at Brandon Police Service headquarters. Participants can run or bike, or they can choose to run as a four-person relay.

Prizes will be awarded to first-place finishers, and all participants are entered into a grand prize draw. Raffle prizes, food and refreshments will be available.

Individual entry fees are $100 and four-person entry fees are $350. Participants can register online at PR911.weebly.com.

Chappellaz said the event is open to all ages and abilities and participants do not have to be first responders to join the event.

Wanted by police

A warrant has been issued for Matthew Boutilier, who is accused of assaulting his ex-girlfriend with scissors and directing another man to sexually assault the woman on April 29.

Police have been unable to locate and arrest Boutilier as his whereabouts are unknown at this time.

Anyone with information about Boutilier’s whereabouts is asked to contact Brandon Crime Stoppers at 204-727-TIPS (8477).

Two arrested in break-in

A 40-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman were arrested after allegedly breaking into and locking themselves in a storage room of a home on Seventh Street Wednesday.

Shortly before 7 a.m. Wednesday, the homeowner initially reported to police that a single individual had broken in and locked themselves in the storage room.

When police arrived, they learned that two individuals were in the room. According to police, the man resisted officer’s efforts to arrest him. After his arrest, he was found in possession of a large knife, steel pry bar and other break-in tools.

The woman was arrested without incident.

The woman was charged with break and enter, mischief and failing to comply with release order.

The man was charged with break and enter, mischief, possessing break-in tools, possession of a weapon and resisting arrest.

Credit card fraud

A 17-year-old boy was arrested Wednesday after surrendering at Brandon police headquarters for allegedly using a stolen credit card.

On April 24, police received a report from a victim that their credit card had been stolen and then used at a local business.

Security footage from the business assisted police in identifying the boy. He will appear in court June 27.

Stolen vehicle found

Police are seeking more information related to a vehicle theft that occurred early Thursday morning.

At 3:30 a.m., police observed a black Dodge truck that was being driven erratically. The driver fled when they saw police.

Soon after, police located the truck parked and unoccupied in the 1100 block of Seventh Street.

The owner of the vehicle had not realized it was missing, though it had been stolen earlier in the evening from Hawthorn Crescent.

Theft under $5,000

A man was charged after allegedly stealing meat from the Real Canadian Superstore on Tuesday.

Security footage from the grocery store assisted police in identifying the 31-year-old suspect, who was also bound by court-ordered conditions to not attend the business.

On Wednesday, he was charged with theft under $5,000 and fail to comply with undertaking.

Man wanted in break and enter

Brandon police are asking the public for assistance in solving a break and enter to a Brandon business on the 700 block of Victoria Avenue East.

At around 3:45 a.m. Wednesday, a man smashed the glass front door of a Brandon business. He allegedly caused damage inside the business and stole cigarettes before fleeing. He was caught on surveillance video carrying a backpack, wearing a dark blue hoodie and black pants.

Anyone with information about this break and enter is asked to contact Brandon Crime Stoppers at 204-727-TIPS (8477).

» The Brandon Sun