On December 2, 2024, at approximately 4:55 a.m., the Winnipeg Police Service’s East District General Patrol officers responded to the report of a commercial break and enter in progress at a restaurant in the 200 block of Provencher Boulevard.
Upon arrival, police observed a smashed out window and two suspects inside the business. The suspects ran out the back door. The first male was immediately taken into custody, while the second suspect ran and a foot pursuit took place. When an officer caught up to the suspect, the individual sprayed bear spray directly into the officer's face. The officer was still able to place him in handcuffs, and a knife was found in his possession contrary to court orders.
The officer received treatment for being contaminated by bear spray.
The two suspects were turned over to the Major Crimes Unit and linked to a string of commercial break and enters through CCTV surveillance. Over 15 businesses; primarily restaurants in the St. James and Provencher neighbourhoods were broken into and approximately $10,000 worth of alcohol was stolen.
November 3
- 2:17 a.m., a restaurant in the 800 block of St. James Street
November 5
- 3:15 a.m., same restaurant in the 800 block of St. James Street
November 8
- 3:09 a.m., same restaurant in the 800 block of St. James Street
- 5:00 a.m., a restaurant in the 300 block of Madison Street
- 6:15 a.m., a restaurant in the 1500 block of St. Matthews Avenue
November 9
- 5:38 a.m., a beauty salon in the 800 block of Henderson Highway
November 10
- 1:57 a.m., a restaurant in the first one hundred block of Euclid Avenue
- 4:57 a.m., a restaurant in the 300 block of Madison Street
November 12
- 2:30 a.m., a restaurant in the 1000 block of Sargent Avenue
- 3:51 a.m., a mechanical business in the 1300 block of St. James Street
- 4:02 a.m., a restaurant in the 600 block of Empress Street
- 6:06 a.m., a construction store in the 500 block of Century Street
- 6:52 a.m., a restaurant in the 1300 block of Border Street
November 18
- 5:40 a.m., a restaurant in the 100 block of Provencher Boulevard
December 1
- 6:24 a.m., a bar in the 100 block of Provencher Boulevard
- 6:49 a.m., a tattoo business in the 300 block of Provencher Boulevard
December 2
- 4:45 a.m., a restaurant in the 200 block of Provencher Boulevard (as mentioned previously in this release)
35-year-old, John David NICKERSON of Winnipeg, has been charged with:
- 17 Break and Enter offences
- Possession of a Weapon
- Four outstanding warrants
23-year-old, Greysky Ridge OLSON of Winnipeg, has been charged with:
- Assalt Peace Officer with a Weapon
- Assault with a Weapon
- Possession of a Weapon x 2
- Break Enter & Theft - Place
- Two outstanding warrants
They were both detained in custody.