Winnipeg police have issued an emergency alert after a woman living with dementia was abducted early Saturday morning in what police have called a “completely random incident.”
Police said Sandra McLaughlin, 63, was reportedly in the back of a blue 2012 Jeep Patriot parked at a gas station at 3600 Portage Avenue Block. While the Jeep was parked, police said a man approached and stole it shortly before 2 p.m.
Video surveillance shows a man walking towards the Jeep, getting up next to the passenger and sliding into the driver’s seat. Police said a family member who had been driving the vehicle with Sandra was seen climbing up and trying to stop the robbery, but the Jeep pulled away.
“There is a possibility that the person who took the vehicle did not know that she was in that vehicle,” Const said. Jay Murray with the Winnipeg Police Department. “It’s early, he’s living with dementia, so he may still be in the back of this vehicle. We just don’t know at the moment.”
Police said 63-year-old Sandra McLaughlin was reportedly in the back seat of a blue 2012 Jeep Patriot parked at a gas station at 3600 Portage Avenue Block. (Provided by: Winnipeg Police Service)
Police said the Jeep, which has a Manitoba KXR 852 license plate, was last seen heading west on Portage Avenue toward Perimeter Highway.
Police said the Jeep has a large bump on the driver’s side door and slightly rusty steel wheels.
Winnipeg police issued an emergency alert Saturday morning for Winnipeg and southwestern Manitoba, asking people to be on the lookout and call 911 if they see anything. Murray said police hope the public can help provide information.
“We ask everyone to please be on the lookout for this vehicle, be on the lookout for Sandra and be on the lookout for the incident.”
Winnipeg police issued an emergency alert shortly after 11 a.m. on June 4, 2022 for Sandra McLaughlin, 63, who was abducted on Saturday morning. (Source: CTV News Winnipeg)
Murray said it is unclear whether the vehicle continued to drive west on the Trans-Canada Highway or stopped on the ring road.
“This is something we are still trying to establish as the investigation progresses,” Murray said.
Winnipeg police have issued a silver alert for McLaughlin. A silver alert is issued when a vulnerable adult is reported missing.
He said that while car thefts are quite common in Winnipeg, it is unusual for someone to be inside the vehicle when they steal it.
“It’s an unusual incident. We have nothing to indicate that these parts are known,” Murray said. “At this point, it appears to be a completely random incident and a crime of chance.”
Police are now asking for public help to find McLaughlin, who has dementia. He is described as 1.80 meters tall, with a heavier complexion and long black and white hair. Police said he was wearing a gray sweatshirt.
Murray said the ultimate goal is to take McLaughlin home safely, but police also want information about the vehicle and the suspect.
Police said the suspect is described as about six feet tall and with dark hair. He was seen wearing a gray jacket, dark shorts, a white sweatshirt, white sandals and gloves.
UPDATE: Below is a video of the kidnapping. If you have any information to share, please contact the researchers at 204-986-6250. pic.twitter.com/zLtcMfPg6Q
– Winnipeg Police (@wpgpolice) June 4, 2022
Anyone with information should call 911 or the Winnipeg Police Missing Persons Unit at 204-986-6250 or the Major Crimes Unit at 204-986-6219.