Armoured vehicle helps Winnipeg police nab BB gun

One of the first public uses of the Winnipeg Police Service's military-style armoured vehicle helped officers get a BB gun off the streets.

"When we were first made aware of this incident let me make this very, very clear we were not awarethatthis was a BB gun. This was described to us as a gun, as a weapon, and potentially a high-powered gun," said police spokesman Const.Jason Michalyshen.

"We did not know exactly at that time what the capabilities of this gun were, and we certainly weren't taking any chances.Visually, this looks like a pretty intimidating weapon."

Thepolice pressed their armoured vehicle, nicknamed ARV1, into action on Sept. 21 after getting a call from a group of people whohad been in a vehicle at the rear of an apartment block when a manwalked up with a gun andmade threats.

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The group took off in their car and called police, whoidentifieda suspect and confirmed hewas insidea nearby home. Attempts to contact the suspectwent unanswered leading to "an armed and barricaded situation," police said.

The ARV1was called in and its battering ram was used to smash in the rear door of the home.That allowedmembers of the tactical team and canine unit to get inside and take thesuspect into custody.

A search turned up an "Uzi-style" replica BB gun that was believed to have been used to threaten the group that was in the car,Michalyshen said.

A52-year-old man ischarged with uttering threats to causedeath orinjury as well as pointinga firearm.

"It was kind of a dynamic incident, but our priority is public safety, the safety of our members and doing things with great efficiency,"Michalyshensaid.

"We're going to respond appropriately. The appropriate resources are going to be deployed. We're not putting anyone at risk, including our own members."

It's one of thefirst times the armoured vehicle was used and it's important that the public understands why it is deployed and how it is used,hesaid.

The police service purchased the ARV 1, manufactured by Terradyne Armoured Vehicles, in 2015 for $342,800. It weighs approximately 7,710 kilograms, seats eight and has eight gun portsand a battering ram.

Winnipeg Police deploy armoured rescue vehicle to incident on Notre Dame

8 years ago

Duration 2:28

Winnipeg Police used the Armoured Rescue Vehicle (ARV1) to gain entry into the residence allowing members of the Tactical Support Team and Canine to safely take the suspect into custody.