Update: Charges laid – Man wanted on Canada Wide Warrant arrested in Prince Edward County

UPDATE (Tuesday, Jun. 22, 2021):

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have provided an update, including the list of charges laid, after the arrest of Eric Wildman, 34, of Manitoba in Prince Edward County (PEC).

According to the OPP, attempted murder charges have now been laid against Wildman after officers were shot at in PEC when attempting to enter a residence to execute a warrant.

That incident occurred just before 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jun. 17, 2021, 10 days after Wildman fled Manitoba and was then wanted on a Canada-wide warrant in connection to the disappearance and death of his neighbour, Clifford Joseph.

On Thursday, Jun. 17, police received information that Wildman was located at a residence in PEC. As officers attempted to enter that residence on Massassauga Road in Ameliasburgh Ward to execute a warrant – including the OPP Tactics and Rescue Unit (TRU), Emergency Response Team (ERT), and Canine Unit – they were met with gun fire, the OPP said in a press release on Tuesday, Jun. 22, 2021. Two individuals surrendered to police, and Wildman was safely taken into custody.

On Sunday, Jun. 19, 2021, the OPP concluded the search of the residence in question, and recovered a 9mm semi-automatic pistol and ballistic evidence from the scene, and a quantity of ammunition was also recovered from the vehicle Wildman had been driving.

The OPP Criminal Investigation Branch under the direction of a Major Case Manager continue to investigate the incident, police said.

Through the Ontario Court of Justice, OPP investigators have obtained a Canada-wide warrant for the arrest of Wildman for the following offences:

• Attempted murder with a firearm of members of the OPP
• Attempted murder with a firearm of an unknown person
• Possession of a restricted firearm without a licence

Wildman remains in the custocy of the Manitoba Correctional Services and is scheduled to appear in Winnipeg court on Wednesday, Jun. 23, 2021.

“Once the arrest warrant is executed, the courts in both provinces will work together to determine the most efficient manner in managing the multi-jurisdictional nature of the charges,” the OPP said.

Wildman is the only individual police intend to charge in relation to this incident, the OPP relayed.

Original article:

After a week-long manhunt, a man wanted in connection with a Manitoba homicide investigation was located and arrested at a residence in Prince Edward County.

While the investigation is still ongoing, reports are Eric Wildman, 34 years of age, was wanted in connection with the disappearance and presumed death of his neighbour Clifford Joseph.

Joseph, 40, was last seen Monday, Jun. 7, 2021, leaving his home in the rural municipality of St. Clements, about 70 kilometres north of Winnipeg. Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have been looking for Wildman since Saturday, Jun. 12, 2021, after they found his abandoned vehicle in East Kildonan, a residential community in northeast Winnipeg. Inside, they located police tactical gear, guns, police patches and other items resembling police uniforms.

In partnership with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the RCMP tracked Wildman, in a rented vehicle, from Winnipeg, across the Manitoba/Ontario border.

Members of the Prince Edward County Detachment of the OPP were notified shortly before 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jun. 17, 2021, that Wildman, wanted on a Canada Wide Warrant, was at a residence in Prince Edward County.

In the early hours of Friday, Jun. 18, 2021, the OPP Tactics and Rescue Unit (TRU), Emergency Response Team (ERT), Canine and OPP Crisis Negotiators executed a warrant at the home. While officers were attempting to gain entry to the residence they were met with gun fire, fortunately no injuries were sustained, OPP said in a release.

With the assistance of the crisis negotiators, two individuals surrendered to police. Eric Wildman was taken into custody. He is currently in the process of being returned to the custody of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, OPP said. The other individual is being questioned and the investigation remains ongoing. The OPP would like to thank the public for their assistance in this investigation.