On June 11, 2023, at approximately midnight, the Winnipeg Police Service responded to the report of a Commercial Robbery in the 600 block of McPhillips Street.
North District General Patrol and Community Support officers attended and, in a coordinated effort, searched the area for two male suspects who had fled on foot after robbing a convenience store and assaulting two employees. Officers located both suspects in the back lane of Manitoba Avenue near Sinclair Street and placed them under arrest without incident.
The Major Crimes Unit assumed the investigation and learned the suspects, armed with bear spray and a hatchet, attended the store (one disguised to hide his identity) and demanded money from the 20-year-old and 24-year-old male victims. The victims attempted to stop the robbery; however, one of the suspects armed himself with a metal object and assaulted both victims in the upper body. Both victims were transported to hospital and received treatment for injuries sustained from the assault. The suspects fled on foot after stealing the till’s cash drawer and tobacco products.
The suspects and victims were not previously known to one another.
Andrew Joseph RAE, 32, of Winnipeg, is charged with the following offences:
- Robbery
- Possession of a Weapon
- Disguise with Intent
He was detained in custody.
A 40-year-old male from Winnipeg is facing the following charges:
- Robbery
- Possession of a Weapon
He was released on an Undertaking as mandated by the Criminal Code.