With help from the community, Steinbach RCMP arrested a 39-year-old male in the Ross area on Tuesday in possession of a stolen vehicle. 

At approximately 10:15 AM, Steinbach RCMP received a report of a stolen vehicle from a gas station in Richer. 

Janice Brooks lives in Ross, north of Richer, and says she noticed a man on her property Tuesday.  

“I could see that he was actually taking things off my property. So, I asked him what he was doing and he exited the property, but then went over to what I found out later was a stolen vehicle.” 

A short time later, Brooks says she witnessed the man snoop around both of her neighbour's properties and even approached one of their homes. 

“He actually went to one of my other neighbour’s houses and the lady was outside and she pulled her animals inside, her dogs inside, and said 'I didn't want to answer the door' because he got onto her porch and went up to her door.” 

Brooks says they then worked together to help the RCMP catch the man. 

“What I decided to do was, with the assistance of some of my other neighbors, contact the RCMP and give them an updated location as to where I was and the information on the vehicle and then I was able to keep a visual on the vehicle because I was able to follow the vehicle and give them an update as to where he was.” 

Brooks adds, “The person that was driving that stolen vehicle then turned the truck around on me and began to follow me back to the community and back to my home, obviously, as an intimidation tactic. What I did was I just took my time, basically led him back, because we were keeping live updates and then the suspect was arrested on my property.” 

RCMP says nobody was injured at the time of the arrest. The 39-year-old man from Winnipeg now faces multiple charges.  

Brooks says she considers this a win for her community.  

“He was on other people's properties trespassing and he did intimidate one of my neighbours.” She adds “It's a win for us because we were able to collaborate together and take someone off the road that, obviously, was intimidating the community.” 

It made for a very interesting day, but Brooks notes “You know, all I wanted to do was plant vegetables!”