In December of 2023, the Winnipeg Police Service’s Major Crimes Unit received several reports regarding a string of Break & Enter incidents and property theft from commercial properties across the city and Headingley Municipality.
The properties targeted included commercial compounds, shipping containers, trailers, and delivery vehicles. Between October and December, suspects attended multiple businesses and stole property, which included vehicles, tires, cigarettes and tobacco products, clothing, sporting goods, electronics, tools, and equipment.
The Winnipeg Police Service, with the assistance from the Manitoba Finance Special Investigation Unit and Manitoba Criminal Intelligence Centre entered into a large scale investigation.
Through their investigation, investigators identified four individuals believed to be involved in approximately thirty(30) incidents. Investigators also linked the suspects to several stolen vehicles, primarily pick-up trucks and SUVs, which were utilized in subsequent break-ins and thefts. Stolen property was stored at various residences linked to the suspects, and some property was advertised for sale on common online social media markets.
Major Crimes and Property Crime investigators obtained warrants of arrest and search warrants for the linked addresses.
On December 14, the Central District Community Support, Property Crime and Major Crime Units, assisted by the Tactical Support Team executed a search warrant at a residence in the 300 block of Stella Avenue. A suspect was arrested without incident, and stolen property was recovered.
James Tyler COURNOYER, 47, of Winnipeg, is charged with the following offences:
- Break Enter & Theft – Place x 2
- Break & Enter with Intent – Place x 2
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000 x 5
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 x 4
On December 15, at approximately 2:36 a.m., North District General Patrol members observed one of the suspects walking a stolen motorcycle on the sidewalk in the 700 block
of Selkirk Avenue. Officers safely arrested the suspect after a brief foot pursuit. Officers seized approximately 2.5 grams of methamphetamine, 80 Gabapentin prescription pills, and 88 Citalopram prescription pills from his person.
Christopher Kyle WATTMAN, 36, of Winnipeg, is charged with the following offences:
- Resist Peace Officer
- Possession of a Scheduled Substance – Methamphetamine
- Possession of a Scheduled Substance x 2
- Warrant (Break Enter & Theft x 8, Theft Under $5,000, Flight from Peace Officer, Dangerous Driving)
On December 15, the Major Crimes Unit, assisted by the Tactical Support Team executed a search warrant at a residence in the 900 block of Ashburn and arrested a suspect without incident.
Justin Andrew HANSON, 32, of Winnipeg, is charged with the following offences:
- Break Enter & Theft – Place
- Break & Enter with Intent – Place
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000 x 5
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 x 2
On December 17, the Major Crimes Unit assisted by the Tactical Support Team executed a search warrant in the 400 block of Smithfield Avenue, recovering stolen property and a .303 Hunting Rifle. The suspect was not present during the search warrant; however, on December 23, he was subsequently located at a residence in the 300 block of Stella Avenue and arrested without incident.
Jared Braeden WIEBE, 28,of Winnipeg, is charged with the following offences:
- Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized
- Careless Storage of Firearm, Weapon, Prohibited Device, or Ammunition
- Break Enter & Theft – Place x 3
- Break & Enter with Intent – Place x 5
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000 x 9
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 x 4
- Theft Under $5,000 x 2
- Fail to Comply with Condition of Release Order x 3
As a result of the investigations and ensuing search warrants, officers recovered a large quantity of stolen property valued at approximately $582,000. They include the following:
- Vehicles x 8
- Vehicle Rims x 10
- Tobacco products
- North Face/Helly Hanson/Kombi clothing
- Tools/Generators/Air Compressors
- Collectibles
- Fridges/Appliances
- A Snowmobile
- A Commercial Truck Box
- Camcorders
Efforts to identify victims and have property returned to their rightful owners are continuing. The value of the property stolen is estimated at over $1,200,000.
All four suspects were previously known to one another and were detained in custody.
The Major Crimes Unit continues to investigate.
Anyone with information that may assist investigators is asked to call 204-986-6219, Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477), or online at winnipegcrimestoppers.org.