On the afternoon of January 4, 2026, the Winnipeg Police Service responded to a disturbance in the 1400 block of Ellice Avenue stemming from motor vehicle collision in a parking lot. A 38-year-old man was arrested by responding West District officers and detained in custody.
At approximately 4:45 p.m., a 2013 Dodge Dart operated by the 38-year-old suspect, was observed driving erratically in the area of King Edward Street and Ness Avenue. Moments later, he was involved in a motor vehicle collision in a parking lot in the 1400 block of Ellice Avenue where he threatened the 52-year-old driver of the other involved vehicle. The incident was witnessed by bystanders who contacted police.
When a responding Community Support Unit (CSU) officer arrived, he observed the suspect assaulting a 23-year-old security guard who had intervened in the altercation. With assistance from responding West District General Patrol units and the security guard, the combative male was safely taken into custody. The CSU officer was physically assaulted during the arrest and sustained minor injuries which did not require medical attention. The security guard was uninjured.
Bobby Roger COUTU (38) is charged with the following offences:
- Assault a Peace Officer
- Resist Peace Officer
- Assault
- Uttering Threats – Cause Death or Bodily Harm
- Causing a Disturbance
- Operation of a Conveyance While Impaired to Any Degree by BAC or Drug or Combination of Both
- Fail or Refuse to Comply with Demand
- Fail to Comply with Condition of Release Order
In addition, COUTU was issued a number of Highway Traffic Act Offence Notices including driving without a license and driving an unregistered vehicle. He was also arrested on the strength on two separate warrants of arrest for Fail to Attend Court and Fail to Comply with Release Order.
COUTU was detained in custody.