In June of 2023, the Winnipeg Police Service’s West District Community Support Unit began investigating a string of reported thefts from a retail store in the 1400 block of Portage Avenue. The investigation forms part of a larger project called “Project Falcon,” aimed at addressing the alarming rate of retail theft in the West District.
The Property Crimes Unit investigators collaborated in the project. They identified an adult male suspect believed to be involved in a prolific amount of thefts from retail stores in the St. James neighbourhood which included the following.
- June 1: The suspect attended the store, selected three pairs of Beats Wireless Headphones valued at approximately $1,320, and left without paying.
- June 11: The suspect attended the store, selected three pairs of Beats Wireless Headphones valued at approximately $1,320, and left without paying.
- June 12: The suspect attended the store, selected three pairs of Beats Wireless Headphones valued at approximately $1,320, and left without paying.
- June 14: The suspect attended the store, selected four pairs of Beats Wireless Headphones valued at approximately $1,760, and left without paying.
- June 19: The suspect attended the store, selected four pairs of Beats Wireless Headphones valued at approximately $1,760, and left without paying.
- June 20: The suspect attended the store with a yet-to-be-identified female suspect, selected five pairs of Beats Wireless Headphones valued at approximately $2,200, and left without paying.
- June 26: The suspect attended the store, selected three pairs of Beats Wireless Headphones valued at approximately $1,320, and left without paying. The suspect returned later in the day, selected two additional pairs of Beats Wireless Headphones valued at approximately $880, and left without paying.
- June 27: The suspect entered the retail store, selected two pairs of Beats Wireless Headphones valued at approximately $880, and left without paying. The suspect returned later in the day, selected two additional pairs of Beats Wireless Headphones valued at approximately $880, and left without paying.
- June 28: The suspect attended a retail store in the 700 block of St. James Street, selected various merchandise valued at approximately $477, and left without paying.
Later the same day, the West District Community Support Unit officers observed the suspect attend the same retail store in the 1400 block of Portage Avenue, select four pairs of Beats Wireless Headphones valued at approximately $1,760, and leave without paying. Officers immediately apprehended the suspect and placed the suspect under arrest without incident.
Gregory Joseph Edward NIXON, 39, of Winnipeg, has been charged with 13 counts of Theft Under $5,000.
He was detained in custody.