Texas murder suspect sought in Canada after crossing border into Manitoba, RCMP warn

A man accused of murder in Texas is the subject of a Canada-wide warrant after illegally crossing the border into Manitoba late last month, say RCMP.

Derek Whisenand, 27, hadbeen evading police in the United States,and sometime during the week of June 24, he snuck into Manitoba near Haskett,just north of Walhalla, N.D., the Mountiessaid.

They believe he then travelled to Winnipeg and may now have moved on to Eastern Canada.

Paul Podhradsky, chief deputy of the Cavalier County Sheriff's Department in North Dakota, said Whisenand's vehicle was found in the state about three kilometres from the Canadian border.

"We were able to locate tracks around his vehicle and we were able to see that he walked across the border," Podhradsky said."It is believed he was then picked up by an individual, who ended up giving him a ride to Winnipeg."

Investigators don't believe Whisenand has any ties to Canada.

He is a homicide suspect in Eastland County, Texas, which is about 170 kilometres southwest of the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Here's how police describe Whisenand:

• Six feet tall.
• Weighting 230 pounds.
• Having brown eyes and brown hair.
• Last seen with a black goatee.

Whisenand wastravelling with a large, brindle-coloured mixed-breed dogpossibly a mix of a German shepherd and pit bull or boxer.

He may be armed and is considered dangerous, and is not to be approached, RCMP warn.

Anyone with information is asked to immediately call 911 or the RCMP Integrated Border Enforcement Team at 204-324-9177.

Anonymous tips can also be made to Crime Stoppersat 1-800-222-8477, or online.