Sask. man charged after allegedly breaking into an off-duty Manitoba police officer’s home

Opaskwayak Cree Nation is shown in reference to The Pas, Man., and Winnipeg. (CTV News Winnipeg)

A 46-year-old man is facing four charges after allegedly breaking into an off-duty police officer’s home.

Shortly before 6 p.m. on Friday, an off-duty officer of the Manitoba First Nations Police Service (MFNPS) in Opaskwayak Cree Nation called the police, saying an adult male was trying to break into his home and assault him.

Police said the man was known to the officer. The officer was with his spouse at the time and not injured.

According to the MFNPS, the suspect knocked on the officer’s door, and not knowing who it was, the officer opened the door.

The suspect “pushed (the off-duty member) inside the residence and tried to instigate a fight,” the officer pushed him back outside and called the police.

When police arrived, the man fled the scene. The force deployed police dogs and drones, and a short time after, the man was found at a nearby home.

The force said the man resisted arrest but was brought into custody after being pepper-sprayed. He was aggressive and uncooperative on his way to the office and in prisoner cell, the MFNPS said.

The man, from Cumberland House, Sask., was remanded into custody and is now facing several charges, including break and enter, assault on a police officer, resisting arrest and mischief.

No charges have been tested in court, and anyone with information is asked to contact the force’s Opaskwayak Cree Nation detachment at 204-623-8200.