Manitoba RCMP continues to search for Joshua Paupanekis, a 39-year-old male from the Pimicikamak Cree Nation in connection with the abduction of a 20-year-old female earlier today.

 

At 5:40 a.m. Thursday, Cross Lake RCMP responded to a report that Paupanekis had entered a home, struck a 24-year-old male resident with a hammer, then abducted Raeanne Thomas. The RCMP believes she is in immediate danger. Paupanekis and Thomas are known to one another and this is considered and act of intimate partner violence.

 

Paupanekis was subsequently the subject of a Dangerous Person Alert issued Thursday morning by the Manitoba RCMP through the Alert Ready system.

 

Since the alert was issued, multiple police units have continued to work in the community, with officers going door-to-door in an effort to locate both the suspect and the victim.

 

Additional RCMP officers from Winnipeg arrived in the community early this afternoon to further support the investigation.

 

While search efforts are concentrated in Pimicikamak Cree Nation, it is possible Paupanekis has fled the community.

 

Raeanne Thomas is 20-years-old, weighs about 115 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

 

Paupanekis is 6’ tall, about 185 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.  He is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached.

 

“Our officers are doing everything they can to safely locate Raeanne and arrest the suspect. The Manitoba RCMP’s Emergency Operations Centre has been activated to assist in coordinating all search and investigative efforts that are underway,” said Sergeant Paul Manaigre of the Manitoba RCMP. “We fear for Raeanne’s safety and urge the public to report any possible sightings immediately to the RCMP.”

 

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cross Lake RCMP Detachment at 204-676-2600.

 

Cross Lake RCMP and RCMP Major Crime Services continue to investigate.