Winnipeg city authorities started a full-scale investigation on the city`s meth problem. More manpower and resources are dedicated to the matter than in any of the previous year and the new special units and target groups created to fight methamphetamine production and distribution in Winnipeg.
On Sunday a man has been arrested following an incident where an axe stolen from a fire truck was used to threaten firefighters.
Firefighters with the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) were responding to a medical incident in the 200 block of Aberdeen Avenue on May 5, 2019, when a male stole a WFPS axe from their vehicle.
Two firefighters were then confronted by the individual with the axe in a threatening manner as they were walking back to their vehicle.
The incident occurred around 11:55 p.m. Both firefighters tried to flee, and the male used the axe to attack a WFPS laptop before dropping the weapon and leaving the scene.
Following a short pursuit, police took the suspect into custody near the corner of Charles Street and Magnus Avenue. Officers said meth is believed to have a played a part in this incident.
A 33-year-old Dwayne Anthony Rawluk from Lake St. Martin has been arrested and charged, he remains in police custody.
As per Winnipeg Police, there is a spike in meth-related crime incidents, like property theft, residential break-ins, unreasonable anger towards each other (methamphetamine users) and other people around them, violent attacks, some ending up in lethal outcomes for victims.