Manitoba police watchdog investigating arrest after man suffered broken bones

Manitoba's police watchdog is investigating the Thursday arrest of a man wanted on a Canada-wide warrant, who suffered a broken left arm and other injuries.

Officers were called to a home on William Newton Avenue, in the Elmwood area, around 6 p.m. Thursday, according to a Friday news release from the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba.

The man, who was wanted on an immigration warrant, met them at the door, but he "immediately retreated into the house," according to the investigative unit.

In a separate news release, Winnipeg police said they were given permission to enter the home and found the man hiding in a bedroom on the second floor, using his body to block the door shut. Police used pepper spray to try to get into the room.

Once inside, the man dove head-first through a window in an attempt to escape, police said.

Once on the ground, officers found the man hiding in deep snow, but he fled on foot as the police approached.

During a chase, he appeared to reach into his waistband, according to police. Officers used a stun gun to try to stop him, but its connection was ineffective, police said.

He was found on Riverton Avenue but resisted arrest, according to police, who said force was used to take him into custody.

The man was taken to hospital in Winnipeg, where it was determined he had a broken left arm and a broken left hip/pelvis, the IIU release said. 

The Winnipeg Police Service notified the Independent Investigation Unit of the incident on Friday, according to the IIU's release.

Because the broken bones meet the definition of a serious injury under its regulations, the IIU — which investigates all serious incidents involving police in Manitoba — launched an investigation into the arrest.

Witnesses or anyone with information or video footage that may assist the investigation are asked to contact the unit at 1-844-667-6060.