A police pursuit on Saturday started with failing to stop at a stop sign and ended with Air1 and a kidnapped woman. 

On Saturday, July 21, officers noticed a vehicle driving erratically in the McGregor Street and Jarvis Avenue area. The vehicle ran a stop sign and officers began to follow.

The driver began to evade police, so the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) helicopter, Air1, was called in to track the vehicle. Officers on the ground increased their distance from the driver.

Air1 tracked the vehicle driving through the city at a high rate of speed, including an estimated 160-170 km/h on the North Perimeter. Police were able to deploy a tire deflation device, which was successful and brought the car to a safe stop. The driver attempted to flee on foot before surrendering to police. The entire incident lasted close to 25 minutes.

Officers found a female in the passenger seat, who had been taken against her will from her Weston area residence. Due to the domestic nature of the incident, WPS would not release the names of either vehicle occupant. 

"I think the video speaks for itself here, it was definitely integral to this investigation," said Constable Jay Murray, a WPS public information officer. "I don't know that we would have been able to do this without Air1."

The 32-year-old male driver was charged with dangerous operation of motor vehicle, assault, forcible confinement, kidnapping, and six additional charges. The man was detained in custody.