Stolen taxi damages RCMP detachment in Manitoba city

A 32-year-old man has been charged after he allegedly stole a taxi in Dauphin, Man., led police on a brief pursuit and damaged part of the city’s RCMP detachment.

According to RCMP, officers were called to the incident just after 5 a.m. Saturday.

Mounties said a man was driven to a city hotel and refused to pay his fare. The taxi driver got out of the cab and demanded the suspect exit, but the suspect allegedly jumped into the front seat and drove away in the cab.

A short time later, the stolen taxi was spotted by RCMP, and the driver allegedly sped away and refused to stop. The cab was later stopped in the parking lot of the Dauphin RCMP detachment. When Mounties approached the cab, police say he drove away but returned a short time later.

Officers boxed in the vehicle, and the suspect was arrested.

RCMP said the cab crashed into the wheelchair ramp of the detachment, causing significant damage.

A 32-year-old man from Skownan First Nation was charged with vehicle theft, flight from police and two counts of mischief over $5,000. He remains in custody and the charges have not been proven in court.

Photo: The damaged wheelchair ramp of the Dauphin RCMP detachment is pictured in a Manitoba RCMP handout photo.