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November Media Releases

November 30, 2009

Winnipeg Police Service Media Release
For Immediate Release

Stolen Vehicle Investigation - Update

On November 25, at approximately 9:20 p.m., Uniform members attending the area of the 300 block of Alfred Avenue regarding a firearm related incident observed a suspicious Yukon Sport Utility vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed.

Officers attempted to stop the vehicle resulting in the vehicle fleeing at high rate of speed and subsequently colliding with a traffic control device and another vehicle in the area of Arlington Street and Burrows Avenue.

The driver continued to flee resulting in a brief pursuit. Police located the abandoned vehicle in the area of Marbury Road and Magenta Crescent a short time later. The investigation revealed the Yukon Sport Utility vehicle was stolen and a quantity of ammunition was located within the vehicle. No one was injured as a result of the collisions.

The subsequent investigation by the Stolen Auto Unit led investigators to a residence where all three 18 year old males were located and arrested on November 27 in connection with the incidents.

A second stolen vehicle as well as a sawed off shot gun and ammunition were located in the possession of the suspects and were seized. Further investigation by the Stolen Auto Unit revealed that the suspects were allegedly connected to the pursuit involving the stolen Yukon Sport Utility vehicle containing the ammunition.

Joseph Barry SAUNDERS-EPP was charged with the following:

Possession of Property Obtained by Crime X 2
Possession of a Weapon Obtained by Crime
Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm/Ammunition
Careless Use of a Firearm, Weapon, Ammunition
Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
Occupant of a Motor Vehicle knowing there was a Firearm

Alan John COURCHENE was charged with the following:

Possession of a Weapon Obtained by Crime
Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm/Ammunition
Careless Use of a Firearm, Weapon, Ammunition
Occupant of a Vehicle knowing there was a Firearm
Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm

Christopher Lesley COOK was charged with the following:

Possession of Property Obtained by Crime X 2
Possession of a Weapon Obtained by Crime
Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
Possession of Prohibited or Restricted Firearm/Ammunition
Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
Careless Use of a Firearm, Weapon, Ammunition
Occupant of Motor Vehicle knowing there was a Firearm
Flight from Police Officer
Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle
Drive while Disqualified under the Highway Traffic Act
Fail to Remain at the Scene of an Accident under the Highway Traffic Act
Fail to Leave Particulars re Damage under the Highway Traffic Act

All three males were detained at the Winnipeg Remand Centre and the investigation is continuing by the Stolen Auto Unit.

Stolen Auto Unit Arrest

On November 26 at approximately 6:20 p.m., a vehicle was stolen from a parking lot in the 400 block of McPhillips Street.

On November 28, 2009 at approximately 9:50 p.m., members of the Winnipeg Police Service Stolen Auto Unit investigating the matter located the stolen van in the North end of the city. The suspect initially eluded police but was arrested a short time later by the Stolen Auto Unit with the assistance of Uniform members and the Canine Unit.

Eighteen year old Jordan JOSH KATCHECONIAS, who is classified as a Level 4 Offender under the Winnipeg Auto Theft Suppression Strategy, was charged with Theft Over $5,000.00, Possession of Break-In Instruments and Drive while Disqualified in connection with the incident. He was detained at the Winnipeg Remand Centre.

Male Shot - Update

On November 28, 2009 at approximately 11:45, police attended outside of a residence in the 500 block of Dufferin Avenue regarding a male that had been shot.

The investigation revealed that the victim and two other males became involved in a verbal dispute with a male within a residence in the 500 block of Dufferin Avenue at which time the suspect allegedly shot the victim in the upper body. The 27 year old victim was conveyed to hospital in unstable condition with upper body injuries. He has since been upgraded to stable condition. No one else was injured.

Leonard Charles STARR, 29 years, of Winnipeg has been charged with Aggravated Assault, Discharge Firearm with Intent, Possession of a weapon for Dangerous Purpose, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm and Careless Use of a Firearm, Weapon, Ammunition X 2 in connection with the incident. He was detained at the Winnipeg Remand Centre.

Sexual Assaults - Update

On November 18, 2009, the Winnipeg Police Service released information regarding two sexual assaults where the victims were groped by an unknown male in the River Heights area of the city.

On November 20, additional information regarding the matter was provided, indicating that six additional incidents of this nature had occurred in the River Heights and St. James areas of the city between November 13 and 17, 2009.

Investigators are of the belief that the same suspect is responsible for each of the incidents. The following is a composite sketch of a male believed to be involved in the incidents.

The suspect is described as a male, Aboriginal in appearance with lighter skin, in his mid twenties with a dark clean shaven complexion and brown eyes. He was wearing a black puffy jacket with fish line threading and a black hood with a fur collar.

The investigation is continuing by the District 6 Crime Unit. Anyone with information regarding the identity of the suspect is asked to contact investigators at 204-986-2877 or CrimeStoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).

Anyone who may have been victimized in this fashion and has not contacted police is strongly encouraged to do so.