In response to a string of reported thefts. primarily committed in the south end of the city, the Winnipeg Police Service’s Property Crime Unit commenced an investigation regarding a prolific adult male offender believed to be involved in the following incidents.
Synopsis of incidents:
August 28, 2024: The suspect stole the victim’s 2009 Sierra 1500 from a gas station while the driver was paying for gas at a filling station in the 1200 block of Pembina Highway. The suspect entered the vehicle and drove away.
September 6, 2024: The suspect entered a dining establishment in the 1100 block of Pembina Highway and stole a patron’s jacket containing vehicle keys and her wallet. The victim’s 2023 Honda Civic Sport was stolen and several fraudulent transactions were made using the victim’s credit card.
Later in the evening, the suspect attended the 1300 block of Border Street in the stolen vehicle and broke the window of a parked 2019 Volkswagen Jetta. As the victim attended to his vehicle to assess the damage, he was confronted by the suspect who threatened to kill him. No injuries were reported and the suspect fled.
Soon thereafter, the suspect attended to a commercial rented space in the 1000 block of St. James Avenue, entered, and stole a Fender electric guitar, a laptop, an iPad Pro, and various electronics valued at over $4,000.
October 12, 2024: The suspect attended a hair salon in the 700 block of Corydon Avenue, entered, and stole a patron’s vehicle keys from her purse. The suspect fled in the victim’s 2023 Nissan Rogue.
October 15, 2024: The suspect attended an animal hospital in the 2700 block of Pembina Highway, entered and stole purses from two employees. The suspect fled in one of the victim’s vehicle, a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox.
October 15, 2024, between 2:30 p.m. 9:45 p.m.: The suspect attended the 800 block of St. Mary’s Road and stole a 2012 Kia Optima.
Between October 15 and October 16, 2024: The suspect attended a business in the first block of Sage Creek Boulevard and entered after breaking a glass window. The suspect fled with a stolen laptop and computer monitor.
October 16, 2024: The suspect attended a restaurant in the 1500 block of Dakota Street in the above-mentioned stolen Kia and entered the business by breaking two glass windows. The suspect fled after stealing approximately $2,000, a cash tray, and six bottles of liquor. Approximately thirty minutes later, patrolling officers located the Kia in the 2800 block of Pembina Highway; however, the suspect was able to flee on foot.
December 17, 2024: The suspect attended a parked vehicle in the 900 block of Corydon Avenue and stole the victim’s wallet from within.
December 22, 2024: The suspect attended a restaurant in the first block of Island Shore Boulevard and stole the victim’s jacket containing keys to his vehicle. The suspect fled in the victim’s 2015 Honda Civic EX.
December 31, 2024: The suspect attended a parking lot in the 200 block of St. Anne’s Road and entered a parked vehicle occupied by an adult female and an infant. The suspect fled with the victim’s iPhone 13 valued at approximately $1,300. The occupants were uninjured.
January 2, 2025: The suspect attended a restaurant parking lot in the 200 block of Marion Street and entered a parked 2009 Honda Civic by smashing the passenger window. Nothing was reported stolen.
Approximately an hour later, the suspect attended to a church in the 400 block of Lakewood Boulevard and stole a cellular phone and wallet from a parishioner’s jacket. Several fraudulent transactions were subsequently made at separate convenience stores in the first block of Lakewood Boulevard and 1000 block of Autumnwood Drive using the victim’s credit card.
January 5, 2025: The suspect attended a temple in the 3500 block of Pembina Highway and stole a cellular phone and a wallet from the victim’s jacket. Fraudulent transactions were subsequently made at a gas station in the 3000 block of Pembina Highway using the victim’s debit card.
January 7, 2025: The suspect attended a music school in the 500 block of St. Anne’s Road, entered a staff room, and stole wallets from three victims and an electric guitar valued at approximately $1,000. Several fraudulent transactions were subsequently made at two separate convenience stores in the 600 block of St. Anne’s Road using the victims’ debit and credit cards.
January 8, 2025: The suspect attended the parking lot off a music school in the 300 block of North Town Road and entered a parked vehicle. The suspect fled after stealing the victim’s wallet. Several subsequent fraudulent transactions were made at a retail store in the 1500 block of Kenaston Boulevard with the victim’s credit card.
January 13, 2025: The suspect attended a restaurant in the 2000 block of Pembina Highway and entered the building. The suspect stole property from two victims, including bags, jackets, and wallets. Fraudulent transactions were subsequently made at a gas station in the 3000 block of Pembina Highway using the victims’ debit and credit cards.
January 15, 2025: The suspect attended a trade school in the first block of Scurfield Road, entered, and stole a purse from the front lobby belonging to a victim. The suspect also entered office spaces within the building and stole a laptop and a desktop computer valued at approximately $2,700 belonging to the school. Fraudulent transactions were subsequently made at a convenience store in the 1500 block of Kenaston Boulevard and a gas station in the 1600 block of Ness Avenue using the victim’s credit card.
February 8, 2025: The suspect attended a parking lot in the 1100 block of St. Mary’s Road and entered a parked 2011 Toyota Corolla. The suspect fled with the victim’s wallet.
February 11, 2025: The suspect attended a parked 2019 Hyundai Ioniq in the 100 block of Meadowood Drive and entered the vehicle by breaking a window. The suspect fled with the victim’s wallet. Fraudulent transactions were subsequently made using the victim’s cards.
On February 12, Property Crime Unit investigators, assisted by the Tactical Support Team and the K9 Unit executed a search warrant at the suspect’s residence. He was located within and arrested without incident.
Travis Freddie DUCHARME, 27, of Winnipeg has been charged with sixty-eight (68) offences including:
- Theft of Motor Vehicle
- Theft Under $5,000
- Break Enter & Theft - Place
- Uttering Threats – Cause Death or Bodily Harm
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000
- Operation of a Conveyance While Prohibited Pursuant to Federal or Provincial Act
- Mischief Under $5,000/Obstruct in Enjoyment
- Fail to Comply with Condition of Release Order
- Fraud Under $5,000
- Use of Credit Card
DUCHARME was also arrested on the strength of five warrants in his name.
DUCHARME was detained in custody.