Between July and August 2022, the Winnipeg Police Service’s Major Crimes Unit, with the assistance of General Patrol and the Tactical Support Team, entered into an investigation regarding five elderly females violently robbed of their purses. With the use of CCTV surveillance, investigators identified two suspects, a male and a female, who were committing these crimes.
On July 17, 2022, at approximately 4:00 p.m., a victim in her seventies was robbed of her purse in the Casino parking lot on Regent Avenue. She was dragged to the ground by an adult male and received minor injuries. The suspect fled.
On July 19, 2022, at approximately 2:30 a.m., the victim’s stolen credit card was used at a convenience store and a fast food restaurant in the 3000 block of Portage Avenue.
On August 1, 2022, at approximately 5:45 p.m., a victim in her seventies was robbed by two males while she was in the parking lot of a grocery store in the 3900 block of Grant Avenue. Her purse and contents were stolen, and the suspects fled.
Her credit card was subsequently used to purchase gas, liquor, cannabis and convenience store purchases in the 6600 block of Grant Avenue.
On August 6, 2022, at approximately 11:30 a.m., a victim in her eighties was robbed of her purse outside a pharmacy in the 3600 block of Portage Avenue. She was not injured, and the suspect fled.
On August 7, 2022, at approximately 3:30 p.m., a victim in her seventies was robbed of her purse in the parking lot of a grocery store in the 1100 block of Grant Avenue. She was not injured, and the suspect fled.
On August 8, 2022, at approximately 2:30 p.m., a victim in her seventies was robbed of her purse in the parking lot of a grocery store in the 1100 block of Grant Avenue. She was not injured, and the suspect fled.
These robberies were captured on CCTV surveillance, and the suspects were identified.
On August 14, 2022, the two suspects were located at a park in Headingley and taken into custody. A subsequent search warrant at a storage facility was executed.
As a result of this investigation, the following items were seized:
- a .22 calibre rifle
- approximately 1.50 grams of fentanyl (estimated street value of $200)
- approximately 11 grams of cocaine (estimated street value of $1,000)
- approximately 3 grams of heroin (estimated street value of $1,500)
A 25-year-old female, Kudakwashe HAMBIRA, of Winnipeg, was charged with the following 12 offences:
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
- Robbery x 3
- Fraud Use of Credit Card x 4
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime x 4
A 23-year-old male, Kidega SABIL, of Winnipeg, was charged with the following 21 offences:
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
- Robbery x 5
- Fraud Use of Credit Card x 6
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime x 6
- Possession Scheduled Substance for Purpose of Trafficking - Methamphetamine
- Possession Scheduled Substance for Purpose of Trafficking - Cocaine
- Possession Scheduled Substance for Purpose of Trafficking - Heroine
Both were detained in custody.
Constable Jay Murray, Public Information Officer
Constable Dani McKinnon, Public Information Officer
Constable Claude Chancy, Public Information Officer
Kelly Dehn, Manager of Public Affairs
Office: 204-986-3061
E-mail: WPS-PIO@winnipeg.ca