Boy, 14, charged with breaking and entering outlet mall, other robberies

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A 14-year-old boy was arrested over the weekend in connection to a break-and-enter at a Winnipeg outlet mall, as well as a string of other robberies.

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Winnipeg Police were called to Outlet Collection Winnipeg retail mall in the 500 block of Sterling Lyon Parkway at around midnight Saturday for the report of a male suspect who had broken in by breaking an entry door glass panel, police said.

Attending officers were told that the suspect had also broken glass to two retail stores within the mall before breaking another entry door glass panel and fleeing with stolen property. Officers located the suspect walking near Corydon Avenue and Carpathia Road at approximately 1:50 a.m. and arrested him without incident.

The suspect caused over $22,000 in damages  to two entry doors and two stores and stole approximately $3,500 in merchandise, some of which was recovered by officers.

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The Major Crimes Unit assumed the investigation and linked the suspect to three additional violent robberies and a break and enter at a religious establishment.

The first one occurred last month when the suspect entered a dining establishment in the 1600 block of Corydon Avenue on June 4 at around 4:50 p.m., stole a liquor bottle, and discharged a canister of bear spray at a 65-year-old male victim who attempted to intervene before fleeing on foot.

On July 12 at around 7:45 p.m., the suspect approached a 67-year-old male victim in the 600 block of Balmoral Street and robbed him of a king-sized canister of beer while armed with an airsoft imitation firearm. During the robbery, the victim was physically assaulted with the firearm. The firearm was also discharged at the victim, striking him in the upper body, resulting in him being taken to the hospital for treatment of his injuries.

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Eleven minutes later, he approached a 20-year-old male victim at the intersection of Ellice Avenue and Hargrave Street and attempted to rob him of liquor, also while armed with an airsoft imitation firearm. During the robbery, the firearm was discharged at the victim, striking him in the upper body, resulting in him having to go to hospital to receive treatment for his injuries.

On Friday at approximately 11:30 p.m., the suspect entered a religious establishment in the 1100 block of Wilkes Avenue by breaking the front entry glass doors, causing an estimated $1,000 in damages.

A 14-year-old boy from Winnipeg has been charged with three counts of robbery, four of break and enter with intent and nine of failing to comply with sentence.

He was detained in custody.

The Major Crimes Unit continues investigating these matters, and additional arrests are anticipated. Anyone with information is asked to contact investigators at 204-986-6219, Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477), or online at winnipegcrimestoppers.org.

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