Winnipeg police have arrested and detained a 27-year-old man in custody for a series of armed robberies between March and June 2021.

The Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) major crimes unit first began investigating the armed robberies after an incident on Mar. 9, when gas was stolen from a gas bar in the 1000 block of Keewatin Street. Later that evening, the man believed to be the same suspect returned and stole money and cigarettes at knifepoint.

On Mar. 13, a man armed with a knife robbed a gas bar in the 3300 block of Portage Avenue, taking money from the till, cigarettes, and the employee's personal vehicle. On the same day, a convenience store in the 500 block of Osborne Street was robbed by a man with a knife.

The following armed robberies occurred between Apr. 22 and June 2, usually involving a man with a knife or other weapon and the theft of cigarettes and/or cash.

  • On April 22, a man armed with a knife robbed a restaurant in the 1400 block of Inkster Boulevard and took cash from the register;
  • On April 29, a man armed with a knife robbed a gas bar in the 1000 block of Keewatin Street, taking cigarettes and merchandise;
  • On May 2, a man who said he had a gun took cigarettes from a convenience store in the 600 block of Watt Street;
  • On May 14, a man indicating he had a gun robbed a convenience store in the 1100 block of Nairn Avenue, taking cigarettes. On the same day, a man with a knife robbed a business in the 900 block of Keewatin Street, taking cash from the register;
  • On May 16, a man robbed a gas bar in the 900 block of Henderson Highway, taking cigarettes and cash;
  • On May 17, a man with a knife stole cash and product from a grocery store in the 900 block of Keewatin Street. On the same day, a man with a knife robbed a convenience store in the 200 block of Tyndall Avenue, stealing cash from the register;
  • On May 18, a man indicating he had a gun stole cash and cigarettes from a convenience store in the 400 block of Talbot Avenue;
  • On May 23, a man robbed a convenience store in the 600 block of Watt Street of cigarettes;
  • On May 31, a man with a handgun stole cash, lottery tickets, and cigarettes from a convenience store in 600 block of Watt Street;
  • On Jun. 2, a man armed with a gun and accompanied by a female suspect robbed a convenience store in the 700 block of St. Mary's Road, taking cash, lottery tickets, and cigarettes.

Police estimate the total value of merchandise and cash stolen to be around $46,000. Investigators believe the same man was responsible for all 15 robberies.

The 27-year-old man was arrested on June 2 and faces charges for all of the above incidents. He was also found to be in possession of crack cocaine at the time of his arrest and a subsequent search warrant located an airsoft gun.

The accused was also listed as Unlawfully at Large (UAL) and an arrest warrant was executed to that effect. A second warrant issued by RCMP was also executed. He now faces charges for 22 separate offences.

A 30-year-old woman will also face charges of robbery and failure to comply with the conditions of an undertaking. She was processed by way of a release order.