Beginning in November of 2022, the Major Crimes Unit of the Winnipeg Police Service entered into an investigation regarding an adult male suspect believed to be involved in numerous Robberies and Commercial Break & Enter incidents within the city.
Incident Synopsis:
- On November 21, 2022, a suspect attended a retail business in the 800 block of Leila Avenue and walked past manned registers stealing a snowblower valued at approximately $2,100, making no attempt to pay.
- On November 24, 2022, a suspect attended a retail business in the 1600 block of Kenaston Boulevard and stole a chainsaw, two fireplaces, and an axe valued at approximately $1,600. The suspect wielded the axe in a threatening manner before felling the premises.
- On November 28, 2022, a suspect attended a retail business in the 700 block of Empress Street and stole several items, including a battery-powered ice auger valued at approximately $1,600. The suspect wielded an axe in a threatening manner before fleeing the store. Loss Prevention Officers recovered the stolen property.
- On November 30, 2022, a suspect attended a retail business in the 1900 block of Bishop Grandin Boulevard and stole a battery-powered snowblower and a BBQ valued at approximately $1,500. The suspect fled without the stolen merchandise after resisting arrest by a Loss Prevention officer.
- On December 16, 2022, a suspect attended a retail business in the 1600 block of Kenaston Boulevard and stole two battery-operated snowblowers and two fire extinguishers valued at approximately $1,700, making no attempt to pay.
- On December 21, 2022, a suspect attended a retail business in the 700 block of Empress Street and stole two snowblowers valued at approximately $2,000, making no attempt to pay.
- On December 21, 2022, a suspect attended a retail business in the 1900 block of Bishop Grandin Boulevard and stole several items, including a gas-powered snowblower valued at approximately $1,800. The suspect produced a screwdriver and wielded it in a threatening manner toward staff who attempted to intervene.
- On December 23, 2022, a suspect attended a retail business in the 1000 block of Gateway Road and stole merchandise valued at approximately $400, making no attempt to pay.
- On December 29, 2022, a suspect attended a retail business in the 500 block of Panet Road and stole merchandise valued at approximately $800, making no attempt to pay.
- On December 31, 2022, a suspect gained entry to a closed restaurant in the 1300 block of Henderson Highway by breaking the front entry glass, causing approximately $1,000 in damage. Approximately $800 was stolen from the cash register before the suspect fled the premises.
- On December 31, 2022, a suspect attended to a closed restaurant in the 400 block of London street by breaking the front entry glass, causing approximately $2,000 in damage. The suspect fled without property.
- On December 31, 2022, a suspect attended a closed restaurant in the 1600 block of Regent Avenue, breaking the front entry glass, causing approximately $1,000 in damage. Approximately $250 and a quantity of gift cards were stolen before the suspect fled the premises.
- On January 10, 2023, a suspect attended to a retail business in the 1500 block of Regent Avenue and stole two gas-powered snowblowers valued at approximately $2,500, making no attempt to pay.
- On January 12, 2023, a suspect gained entry to a closed restaurant in the 100 block of Isabel Street by breaking the front entry glass, causing approximately $1,800 in damage. Approximately $40 was stolen from the cash register before the suspect fled the premises.
- On January 12, 2023, a suspect gained entry to a closed restaurant in the 800 block of Corydon Avenue by causing approximately $4,500 in damage to the front entry door. Approximately $2,000 was stolen before the suspect fled the premises.
- On January 13, 2023, a suspect gained entry to a closed restaurant in the 900 block of Portage Avenue by breaking the front entry glass. Once inside, the suspect broke into an office and stole approximately $30 before he fled the premises. Damage to the restaurant is estimated at approximately $5,000.
- On January 18, 2023, a suspect attended a retail business in the 700 block of Empress Street and stole a battery-powered snowblower valued at approximately $750, making no attempt to pay.
- On January 22, 2023, a suspect gained entry to a closed restaurant in the 200 block of Main Street by breaking the front entry glass, causing approximately $3,200 in damage. Approximately $30 was stolen before the suspect fled the premises.
- On January 24, 2023, a suspect gained entry to a closed restaurant in the 1100 block of Taylor Avenue by breaking the front entry door causing approximately $1,000 in damage.
A cash register containing approximately $200 was stolen before the suspect fled the premises.
- On January 27, 2023, three suspects attended a retail business in the 1600 block of Kenaston Boulevard and stole two gas-powered snowblowers valued at approximately $2,500, making no attempt to pay.
- On January 30, 2023, two suspects attended a retail business in the 800 block of Leila Avenue and stole two gas-powered snowblowers valued at approximately $2,100, making no attempt to pay.
- On January 30, 2023, a suspect gained entry to a restaurant in the 2000 block of Henderson Highway by breaking a window adjacent to the front entry door causing approximately $1,000 in damage. A small quantity of cash was stolen before the suspect fled the premises.
- On January 31, 2023, two suspects attended a retail business in the 1500 block of Regent Avenue and stole four gas-powered snowblowers valued at approximately $3,700, making no attempt to pay.
- On February 3, 2023, three suspects attended a retail business in the 1600 block of Kenaston Boulevard and stole a gas-powered snowblower valued at approximately $2,200, making no attempt to pay.
- On February 3, 2023, two suspects gained entry to a closed restaurant in the 1900 block of Henderson Highway by breaking a front window causing approximately $3,100 in damage. A tin containing a front door entry key valued at approximately $30 was stolen before the suspects fled the premises,
The total value of all items and cash exceeds $30,000, with damages estimated at over $23,000.
Members continued their investigation and identified a suspect male believed to be involved in all the above-mentioned incidents.
On February 7, Major Crimes Unit investigators arrested the suspect at his residence located in the 200 block of Simcoe Street without incident. Investigators applied for and were granted search warrants for the suspect’s residence and a second linked residence located in the 200 block of Jamison Street. Various clothing articles the suspect wore during the offences were located within the residences and seized as evidence.
Nickolas Walter COMBOT, 32, from Winnipeg, is charged with the following offences:
- Robbery x 5
- Break Enter & Theft – Place x 9
- Break & Enter with Intent – Place
- Theft Under $5,000 x 10
- Resist Peace Officer
He was detained in custody.