Beginning in November 2023, the Winnipeg Police Service has been conducting a Retail Theft Initiative in partnership with the Retail Council of Canada and Winnipeg's business community. This proactive effort was initiated to address the serious issue of shoplifting, including the threat of injury to staff and the general public and the financial loss incurred by various retail outlets within the city.
On December 12, 2023, at approximately 9:00 p.m., North District Community Support Unit members, assisted by General Patrol Unit officers, responded to the report of an adult male stealing merchandise from a retail store in the 800 block of Leila Avenue. Officers attended and arrested the suspect in a parking lot in the 2300 block of McPhillips Street after a short foot pursuit.
The Property Crime Unit assumed the investigation and linked the same suspect to a string of retail theft incidents in the area beginning in October, including a December 9 arrest where the suspect was charged with thirteen (13) Theft Under $5,000 offences regarding his involvement. The suspect was subsequently released via a Release Order with conditions.
Following his December 12 arrest, the suspect, identified as David SCHMIDT, 31, of Winnipeg, was charged with an additional nine (9) Theft Under $5,000 offences and two (2) Fail to Comply with Condition of Release Order offences.
SCHMIDT has been detained in custody.
The value of the stolen merchandise reported by affected businesses is estimated at over $23,000.
The Winnipeg Police Service uses data collected through crime analysis to determine where to focus our deterrence efforts. Officers will target affected areas as this initiative will continue to be an ongoing focus of the Property Crime Unit.