Two men busted in connection with violent incidents, shootings last June

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Two men have been arrested and charged in connection to several violent incidents last June including two where firearms were discharged.

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One of the suspects was arrested last week after fleeing to British Columbia.

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It all began on June 15 at shortly before 2 a.m., when Winnipeg Police General Patrol officers were called to the area of Abinojii Mikanah and Newmarket Boulevard regarding the sound of shots. Further information led officers to a suite in the 400 block of Ballantrae Drive. When officers entered the suite, they found two uncooperative men and a woman.

Police said the occupants had allegedly fired multiple rounds from a rifle from the suite’s balcony into a field behind the residence, prompting calls to the police. No injuries were reported.

Members of the Major Crimes Unit continued the investigation, executing search warrants. A fully operational SKS – semi-automatic rifle, two additional rifles/shotguns in various states of disassembly, ammunition, 23 rocks of crack cocaine with an estimated street value $4,600, and various scales and packaging materials consistent with drug trafficking were seized.

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Two 24-year-old men and a 23-year-old woman from Winnipeg were charged with numerous weapon and drug-related offences.

Last month, Major Crimes Unit officers continued the investigation regarding the two men and linked them to two additional Winnipeg incidents last June.

On June 14, the suspects are believed to have been in the area of Magnus Avenue and Main Street, one armed with a 12-gauge shotgun and ammunition. During the incident, one of the suspects allegedly produced and loaded the firearm before passing it to the other. This suspect proceeded to recklessly fire the shotgun numerous times, striking an unoccupied vehicle parked in the 1000 block of Main Street. No persons were injured during this incident. Both suspects fled before police arrived.

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The following day at around 12:40 a.m., the suspects went to a hotel in the 300 block of St. Mary Avenue and told front desk employees that they were being robbed. One of the suspects produced a canister of bear spray and sprayed the 31-year-old and 61-year-old male victims. The victims suffered from the effects of the bear spray but were otherwise uninjured. Both suspects fled on foot before police arrived. No property was stolen during the incident.

Investigators obtained arrest warrants for both regarding their involvement in these incidents.

In December, investigators learned that one of the men had fled to Nelson, B. C., violating the conditions of his release order. Investigators consulted with Manitoba Prosecutions, who issued an extension for one of his arrest warrants to  Canada-wide. Investigators summoned the assistance of the Nelson Police Department to locate and arrest him.

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On Wednesday, a coordinated effort involving the Nelson Police Department (NPD) and British Columbia Prosecution Service resulted in his arrest by NPD officers on the strength of the Canada-wide warrant at a residence in Nelson. He was taken to Kelowna, turned over to the custody of WPS Major Crimes Unit investigators, and flown back to Winnipeg.

In addition to eight arrest warrants in his name, he is charged with multiple weapon and firearm-related offences, robbery, and failure to comply with release order conditions.

Investigators had previously attended the Milner Ridge Correctional Facility on Feb. 17, where the other 24-year-old was being held regarding unrelated incidents and placed him under arrest. He was charged with multiple weapon and firearm-related offences and robbery.

Both remain in custody.

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