Winnipeg, Manitoba (CTV Winnipeg) – An RCMP officer was arrested for allegedly breaking into a River Heights home while intoxicated and off-duty on Thursday, said Winnipeg police.
An investigation determined that a suspect in an intoxicated state broke in through the front door to a stranger’s residence in River Heights and woke up a person inside, said officers.
A neighbour told CTV News the suspect fell asleep on a couch inside the home.
The neighbour said the suspect believed he was at a hotel and even left his shoes at the door before falling asleep on the couch.
Winnipeg police responded and took the suspect into custody.
The 30-year-old male suspect faces a charge for forcible entry and has been released on a court appearance notice. His name has not been released.
Drunk cop breaks into home, passes out
CHRIS KITCHING, QMI AGENCY
WINNIPEG – A Manitoba RCMP officer is accused of a drunken, embarrassing mistake after he allegedly forced his way into a Winnipeg home, spooking a woman, and fell asleep in an off-duty incident early Thursday.
The 30-year-old man thought he was entering a house — be it his own or one belonging to a friend or relative — in River Heights where he was welcome and would spend the night, but that wasn’t the case, Winnipeg police said.
It turns out the man unknowingly entered the wrong house and thought he was in the right place, said city police spokeswoman Const. Natalie Aitken.
The man was allegedly unaware of this due to his intoxicated state, police said.
“Alcohol did play a significant part in the event,” Aitken said.
The man now faces a single criminal charge and possible punishment by his employer.
Manitoba RCMP spokesman Const. Miles Hiebert said the man’s duty status is under review.
Hiebert said any complaint about an officer’s conduct, be it for an on-duty or off-duty incident, is a concern.
The officer has no connection to the residence or its occupants, Aitken said. Police didn’t reveal a street name or block number.
There is no indication the male drove to the location, police said.
General patrol officers found the man sleeping in the home and arrested him without incident.
Aitken said the man gained entry by breaking through a door or window, causing some damage. This awakened a woman, who was the home’s lone occupant.
She encountered the man and fled to a neighbouring residence, where she called police.
The male didn’t confront, assault or threaten the woman and there was no malicious intent for entering the house, police said.
“It was completely random,” Aitken said. “He did not know where he was. He was thinking it may have been somewhere else.”
The RCMP officer is facing a charge of forcible entry. He was released on a promise to appear in court.
His name wasn’t released because the charge hasn’t been formally laid.
The man wasn’t charged with break and enter.