Suspect steals grader from Portage la Prairie public works garage, crashes into fence: RCMP

A grader stolen from the Portage la Prairie public works garage is pictured on Jan. 27, 2025. (Manitoba RCMP)

A 29-year-old man is facing charges in connection with the theft of a city-owned grader in Portage la Prairie.

RCMP say they were told Monday morning a municipal grader was in the process of being stolen from the city’s public works garage.

Officers arrived on scene to find the grader had crashed through a fence with the suspect still in the compound near the machine.

Mounties say the 29-year-old man refused to comply with officers and resisted arrest.

He was eventually taken into custody and transported to the Portage la Prairie RCMP detachment. However, as a result of an altercation with officers and EMS personnel, the suspect was taken to hospital for examination for a non-life-threatening injury. Officers believe the suspect was under the influence of a drug.

The man was treated and released from hospital. He was remanded into custody on a number of charges, including theft and impaired driving.

None of the charges have been proven in court.

RCMP continue to investigate.