A chilling alert ripped through Manitoba on Thursday morning as the RCMP issued a dangerous person alert following a terrifying abduction. Twenty-year-old Raeanne Thomas was taken from her home in Pimicikamak Cree Nation, a remote community over 520 kilometers north of Winnipeg, sparking a massive search operation.
The ordeal began before dawn, around 5:40 a.m., when police responded to a disturbing report of an aggravated assault. Joshua Paupanekis, 39, allegedly forced his way into a residence and brutally attacked a man with a hammer, escalating the situation into a desperate fight for safety.
Armed with both a hammer and a knife, Paupanekis then allegedly abducted Thomas from the home, vanishing into the wilderness with his captive. Authorities believe Thomas is in immediate and grave danger, fueling the urgency of the ongoing search.
Multiple police units are currently scouring Pimicikamak Cree Nation and the surrounding areas, relentlessly pursuing any lead that could bring Thomas home safely. The RCMP has strongly warned the public: do not approach Paupanekis under any circumstances, as he is considered armed and dangerous.
The alert, which blared across cellphones province-wide just after 11 a.m., underscores the severity of the situation. The community of Pimicikamak Cree Nation is already grappling with significant challenges, including ongoing issues with their water supply stemming from a recent, prolonged power outage, adding another layer of hardship to this unfolding crisis.
