Pukatawagan RCMP are looking for a man who made escaped police custody by doing a dash into the woods before being flown south for a court date.
Manitoba RCMP are on the lookout for Kelly John Castel, a 19-year-old man who is awaiting trial on charges of robbery and failing to comply with probation. Shortly after 5:30 p.m. Sept. 16, Pukatawagan RCMP officers arrived at Pukatawagan's airport to transfer custody of Castel over to Manitoba Sheriffs, who would transport him to Winnipeg for a provincial court hearing Sept. 20 on the aftermentioned charges. Castel was handcuffed during the transfer.
However, Castel had other plans during the transfer, running away from both RCMP and sheriffs' officers mid-exchange and heading into the woods. Officers followed after him, but lost sight of Castel. Despite a search of the area, Castel was still not located.
Because of his bolt into the bush, Castel now faces another charge: being unlawfully at large. Castel is described as being 5-foot-10, 130 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing black sweatpants, a black baseball cap and a black sweatshirt.
RCMP are investigating Castel's disappearance and are seeking assistance from the public. Anyone with information about Castel's location is asked to contact Pukatawagan RCMP at (204) 553-2045 or to contact Manitoba Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 or at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.
