DNA Evidence Leads to Arrest in 2025 Hit-and-Run Investigation
Opaskwayak Cree Nation
The Manitoba First Nations Police Service (MFNPS) has arrested a man in connection with a 2025 hit-and-run in Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN).
On April 20, 2025, members of the MFNPS OCN Detachment responded to a report of a single-vehicle collision in the early morning hours.
Upon arrival, officers located an abandoned SUV in a ditch in the 400 block of Kiche Maskanow in OCN. The vehicle had struck a streetlight pole, knocking it to the ground and causing the vehicle's airbags to deploy. The SUV sustained extensive damage, and the cost to replace the damaged streetlight pole was estimated at $8,000.
Through witness statements and a review of video surveillance footage, investigators determined that the unknown male driver had fled the scene immediately following the collision.
As part of the investigation, officers collected DNA evidence from the vehicle. The evidence was submitted to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) National Forensic Laboratory Services in Ottawa, Ontario, for forensic analysis.
With the assistance of the RCMP National Forensic Laboratory Services and the RCMP Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services (CCRTIS), investigators were able to identify the suspected driver.
On November 1, 2026, members of the Manitoba First Nations Police Service located and arrested a 53-year-old male from OCN in connection with the collision.
The accused has been charged with the following Criminal Code offences:
- Failure to Stop After an Accident
- Mischief – Damage to Property Over $5,000
The accused was released on an Appearance Notice with a future court date, in accordance with the Criminal Code of Canada.
MFNPS would like to thank the RCMP National Forensic Laboratory Services and RCMP CCRTIS for assisting us in identifying the suspected driver.
Anyone with information regarding criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Manitoba First Nations Police Service or the MFNPS TIPS line anonymously at 1-833-978-0048 or email TIPS@mfnp.ca. The MFNPS TIPS line is accessible 24/7, 365 days a year, and is monitored regularly.
