Police say 480 serious or violent offenders have been arrested since the Manitoba integrated violent offender apprehension unit launched in May 2023.
The unit, made up of Winnipeg Police Service and RCMP members, targets violent and prolific offenders, including suspects in serious and violent crimes and people wanted on outstanding warrants.
The police agencies said at a news conference Tuesday that 84 per cent of the arrests involved someone who was either on bail, probation or parole. Twenty-seven per cent of violent offenders arrested by the unit were known to police as a gang member or associate, police said.
The Winnipeg Police Service and RCMP announced the launch of a new website showcasing Manitoba’s most-wanted criminals.
A news release said that in the first three quarters of this year, the unit arrested 264 violent offenders, made 594 warrant checks and knocked on 1,203 doors during their searches, and executed 375 warrants.
The Winnipeg Police Service and RCMP also announced the launch of a new website showcasing Manitoba’s most-wanted criminals.
The website will showcase some of the offenders the Manitoba integrated violent offender apprehension unit is actively searching for.
“The goal is to share timely information with the public with the intention that if someone spots a wanted individual, they will contact the Winnipeg Police Service, RCMP or Crime Stoppers to report the location of the offender. The wanted notices are to encourage the public to be on the lookout, but these are serious and violent offenders, so they should not be approached,” a WPS news release released Tuesday said.
fpcity@freepress.mb.ca