On September 25, 2021, at approximately 12:40 am, Selkirk RCMP received a report of a carjacking on Highway 59, just south of Ocean Drive in the RM of St. Clements, Manitoba. It was further reported that the carjackers were impersonating police officers and had a firearm.
Initial investigation determined that a vehicle with red and blue lights stopped a SUV with two female occupants. A male approached the SUV and asked for identification and registration. When the females questioned the male, he revealed a firearm and made the females exit the vehicle and took their cell phones. The male then took off in the victims' vehicle, headed southbound on Highway 59. The male was not wearing a police uniform.
RCMP officers responded immediately and quickly located the victims' vehicle on Highway 59 near Highway 44. The suspect driving the vehicle attempted to ram a police vehicle. Officers had to use a spike belt to disable the vehicle. When the vehicle was stopped, 40-year-old Ryan Demchuk of Winnipeg was arrested without incident.
When Demchuk was at the Selkirk RCMP Detachment he assaulted an officer and a guard. He is charged with Robbery with Firearm, Assault Police Officer, Dangerous Operation of Motor Vehicle, Possess Stolen Property Over $5000, Assault with Weapon, Flight from Police Officer, Personating a Police Officer, Disguise with Intent to Commit, Possession of Firearm while Prohibited x3.
With one suspect in custody, police continued to patrol for the suspect vehicle used in the carjacking. The area was contained, and at the time, there was no immediate threat to public safety.
At approximately 4:50 am, officers patrolling in Selkirk stopped a SUV heading northbound on Main Street. The male driver and female passenger were arrested. The male had a knife hidden on his person that was located during arrest. A search of the vehicle found drugs, illegal cigarettes, and several weapons, including an airsoft gun that looked like a handgun and a set of red and blue lights. The driver of the vehicle, Sean Demchuk, 38, and Chelsea Flewelling, 28, both of Winnipeg, are both charged with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking Cocaine, Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose, and Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Weapon. Sean Demchuk is also charged with two counts of Possession of Weapons Contrary to Order. Further charges are being considered.
All suspects are remanded in custody. The investigation continues.