Manitoba murder suspect arrested in Ontario
Posted June 18, 2021 10:36 am.
Last Updated June 18, 2021 10:47 am.
BELLEVILLE (THE CANADIAN PRESS) – A weeklong manhunt for a Manitoba man suspected in a homicide ended with shots fired at police in Ontario.
Eric Wildman, 34, was arrested in Prince Edward Country, just outside Belleville, Ontario, after police say shots were fired and a negotiation took place.
Ontario Provincial Police say in a video on Twitter that officers received information that Eric Wildman could be in the area. Police say officers attempted to get into a residence in Prince Edward County, just outside Belleville, Ont., and were fired at when they tried to enter.
They say officers moved into positions around the residence and crisis negotiators were eventually able to get the two men inside to surrender. One of the men was identified as Wildman, who is a suspect in the homicide of 40-year-old Clifford Joseph, who was his neighbour in rural Manitoba.
Joseph has been missing since June 7, when he was last seen leaving his home in St. Clements, north of Winnipeg. RCMP later found his truck abandoned in a rural area and investigators have said there is evidence he was the victim of a homicide.
Mounties had warned that Wildman was armed and dangerous and could have clothing and gear resembling that used by police.
Officers found police tactical equipment, patches and other items resembling officer uniforms when they searched Wildman’s vehicle on Sunday.
Ontario Provincial Police say Wildman is being transported back to Manitoba.
