Suspect search triggers CancerCare evacuation
Last Updated: Monday, November 2, 2009 | 5:54 PM CT
CBC News
The CancerCare building at Winnipeg’s Health Science Centre was evacuated Monday afternoon as police searched for a carjacking suspect they say may be armed.
Officials with CancerCare said an email notification telling staff to leave the building was sent out at about 4 p.m. CT.
The notification was issued after two staff members came forward to say they had seen someone in the building who didn't look like he belonged there, officials said.
Security guards were brought in to guard the safety of patients, officials said.
A suspect made his way to the roof of the building before police arrested him in a stairwell at about 4:30 p.m. CT, a CBC reporter at the scene said.
Dozens of Winnipeg police officers — and a police dog — were seen scouring the hospital grounds looking for the suspect.
Officials said patients were never in any danger.
The dramatic incident unfolded after a car was taken at gunpoint just before 3 p.m. CT near the intersection of Ellice Avenue and Edmonton Street.
Police spotted the car and two suspects a few minutes later. A brief chase ensued but was quickly called off, police said.
One of the suspects fled from the stolen car in the 700 block of Ross Avenue not far from the hospital and was arrested in a parking lot.
A reporter said police removed what appeared to be a handgun from the scene.
Police have not yet issued an official statement about the arrests or said what charges the suspects may be facing.
