WINNIPEG — Police have arrested a 21-year-old man who allegedly drove a car through Charleswood sportsfields and playgrounds Tuesday evening, sending one person to hospital.
Police said they arrested a suspect, who has had prior police contact, on Wednesday morning. He’s being held in custody with Criminal Code and Highway Traffic Act charges pending. Police hope to release his name later Wednesday, after charges are laid.
Police were first called about someone driving a silver car on the schoolyard at Pacific Junction Elementary School at about 7:30 p.m. No one was injured there.
About an hour later, a silver Chevrolet Cavalier caused panic at Marj Edey Park, near Ridgewood Avenue and Fairmont Road, with people scrambling to get out of the way as it was driven through sportsfields and a skatepark where children were playing. A 25-year-old man was hit and went to hospital with minor injuries, police said.
WATCH: Winnipeg police discuss arrest of man who drove through park
“People were forced to run for their safety,” Const. Jason Michalyshen said at a news conference Wednesday morning. “It’s a bizarre scenario.”
The car, which belongs to the accused, reached speeds faster than 80 kilometres per hour in the park, Michalyshen said. Police haven’t been able to determine whether the driver was sober at the time.
While the car was doing donuts in the playing field, a man who knows the driver got in, but fearing for his safety, jumped out of the moving car before it left the field, police said. That passenger was held by people in the area until police arrived.
“I just thought he was crazy, like pure insanity. There was people here, kids here and a soccer game, people playing baseball. Just insane,” Taylor Rowan watched the whole thing unfold while at the skate park Tuesday evening with friends.
The car headed east on Wilkes Avenue, police said, where witnesses said it had a near-miss with a train.
Police saw the vehicle again at about 9:30 p.m. near Assiniboine Forest and the intersection of Elmhurst Road and Eldridge Avenue, but it had been abandoned. Witnesses told police the driver had switched vehicles, getting into a white KIA SUV.
That vehicle was spotted on Wilkes Avenue east of Elmhurst Road at about 9:45 p.m. A woman passenger, allegedly the driver’s girlfriend and owner of the KIA, was detained, but the driver took off on foot.
Police launched a manhunt with resources from the tactical, canine, community support and general patrol units. It was believed police had the man cornered but despite searching for about five hours, they didn’t find the suspect overnight.
Neighbours told Global News that they believe it was 21-year-old Andrew Penner.
Alana Kessen lives near Penner and has known him for several years and says he’s had trouble with the law before, “I just know that I’ve seen cops on his driveway multiple times but couldn’t tell you why.”
Court documents obtained by Global News show half a dozen convictions from 2013 for mischief to property, uttering threats and driving while disqualified. And outstanding charges earlier this year for assault, uttering threats and other offenses.
— With files from Holly Alexandruk
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