A Police Chase in Portage led to a fiery end, charges, and luckily no fatalities.
At 2:15 p.m. on Christmas Eve, a vehicle in Portage failed to stop for police and sped off, with officers initially not chasing due to a danger to the public.
Police later located the vehicle traveling on Road 70 North, heading towards Provincial Road 240, where officers moved to immobilize the suspects.
The suspect vehicle stopped before hitting the spike belt and reversed into the police cruiser that was chasing it.
The suspect then drove over the spike belt and turned south, where it drove head-on into another arriving police vehicle.
Both vehicles caught fire after impact. Officers exited their vehicles and were able to safely remove the two female occupants who were subsequently placed under arrest.
A 30-year-old female, from Portage la Prairie, faces charges of Flight from Police and Resisting/Obstructing a Police Officer. She was released on an Undertaking to appear in court later.
Michelle Whitford, 32, of Portage la Prairie, was remanded into custody on charges including Assault of a Police Officer with a Weapon, Dangerous Operation of a Conveyance, Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Flight from Police and Resist Arrest.
No major injuries occurred, and the investigation continues.
