Winnipeg police warn teen after installing flashing lights in decommissioned cruiser

Winnipeg police have issued a warning to a 17-year-old driver after he was caught using flashing red and blue lights in a decommissioned Ford Explorer. The investigation began after police received video footage of the white vehicle parked at a commercial business on Sage Creek Boulevard with active lights visible in the rear window.

The teenager admitted to installing the temporary lights using suction cups, stating he was dared by friends to do so. While the vehicle was a former police unit that had been properly decommissioned without active markings, the incident prompted a police response regarding the deception of the community.

During the investigation, officers also discovered that the front driver and passenger side windows had illegal window tinting. The driver was issued a ticket for the tinting and was educated on the legal consequences of misrepresenting a police vehicle. The Winnipeg Police Service stated that individuals who modify vehicles to deceive the public can face serious consequences, including criminal charges.