RCMP say homicide suspect considered armed, dangerous could be in Winnipeg in grey SUV

Police believe a suspect in a homicide in southern Manitobawho is considered armed and dangerouscould be in Winnipeg and is driving a grey SUV.

RCMP said in a news release late on Tuesday that investigators believe 34-year-oldEric Wildmanwas in Winnipeg on Monday and may bedriving a grey2020 Chevy Equinox with the Manitoba licence plate numberKGE 368.

Earlier in the day, multiple RCMP officers combed through a property northeast of Winnipeg that they say belongs to Wildman, after issuingan arrest warrant for him.

Mountiesbelieve heis connected to the disappearance ofClifford Joseph.

Joseph, 40,was last seen leaving his home in the rural municipality of St. Clements in the early morning of June 7. Police previously said they considered his disappearance suspicious.

On Monday, they confirmed Wildman isconsidered a suspect in Joseph's homicide. They are, however, still trying to determine the relationship between the two men, RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Laura LeDrew said Tuesday.

Joseph's1997 Ford Rangerwas foundabandoned on the day he was last seen in a rural areaoff Road 44 East.

Joseph's body has not been found, butRCMPsaythey are convinced he is dead based on evidence found. That evidence isalso linkedto Wildman.

"The RCMP continues to try to locate Wildman and take him safely into custody," RCMPsaid ina news release on Tuesday.

A vehicle belonging to Wildmanwas found in Winnipeg's East Kildonan neighbourhood on June 11and searched two days later, once police obtained a warrant.

Inside, officers found guns, police tactical equipment, police patches and other items resembling police clothing.

The last confirmed sighting of Wildman was June 11 in East Kildonan, though RCMPreceived a tip onTuesday that hemight have been spotted again in the city on Monday night.

"Our officers across southern Manitoba are trying to locate him and we are also working closely with the Winnipeg Police Service," RCMP Supt. Michael Koppang said in a news release on Tuesday.

"This situation continues to change, and we are committed to keeping the public informed of any developments."

The search of Wildman's property included areas that contained the burnt-out shells of vehicles, as well as the rubble of a former residence.

LeDrewsaid the home burned down about a month ago, but at this time there is nothing to link that to the current investigation.

Echoes of Nova Scotia tragedy

The search and story emergingaround Wildmanhaveraised eerie comparisons with the tragedy last year in Nova Scotia.

In April 2020, Gabriel Wortman killed 22 people acrossseveral communities of that province while wearing an authenticpolice uniform and driving areplica RCMP cruiser.

He torched his own cottage and garageand three other homes over a 13-hour period before being shot dead by police at a gas station.

LeDrewsaid she is fully aware of the similarities, calling them"very concerning."

That's why police are putting out as many photos of Wildmanas possible and proactively keeping the public aware of the investigation, she said. "We want to ensure the public is very aware of what he looks like."

The RCMP in Nova Scotia came under heavy scrutiny for their handling of the April 2020 incident, in particular whyit took themso long to alert the public.

Asked Tuesday why the Manitoba RCMP hasn't put out a formal alert for Wildman,LeDrew said those are issued when there is credible information about a person's location and the threat of imminent danger.

"We don't have that at this point," she said.

'He may have access to more firearms'

LeDrew said that as soon as investigators were able to search Wildman's vehicle, and found the items and madeconnections to Joseph's presumed death, "it became clear what we were looking at and that's when we pushed out these media releases."

Aside from the latest information that Wildmanmight have been seen Monday,there is little else to go on.Winnipeg police are helping RCMP investigate that most recent tip, she said.

"We don't know where he is. We do believe he is in Winnipeg somewhere," LeDrew said.

"He may have access to a car, he may have access to more police-related clothing items, he may have access to more firearms. These are things we don't know."

Anyone with anyinformation relating to Wildmanis urged to call 911 or the RCMP tip line at 431-489-8551.