On December 5, 2024, at 09:00 a.m., North District General Patrol officers responded to a report of a Robbery at a retail business in the 2300 block of McPhillips Street.
Upon arrival, officers located staff members and customers who were suffering from the effects of being exposed to bear spray. Officers arrested two male suspects without incident. Officers seized a canister of bear spray and body armor worn by one of the suspects.
Through investigation, it was learned by officers that the two suspects (1 adult, 1 youth) attended the retail store, selected a 55-inch television and attempted to leave without paying for the item. The adult male suspect was confronted by a 39-year-old male staff member resulting in him dropping the television and physically assaulting the staff member in the upper body. Additional staff and nearby customers intervened and subdued the adult male suspect.
The youth male suspect produced a canister of bear spray and discharged it directly in the face of a 25-year-old male staff member, while also affecting approximately 15 staff and customers that were in close proximity. The youth male suspect attempted to retrieve the television but was subdued by intervening staff and customers.
The victims suffered minor injuries that did not require medical attention.
The suspects and victims are not previously known to one another.
A 16-year-old male youth from Winnipeg is facing the following charges:
- Robbery
- Possession of a Weapon
- Carrying Concealed Weapon Prohibited Device or Ammunition
- Possess body armour without a valid permit or in a manner inconsistent with the valid permit
He was released on an Undertaking as mandated by the Criminal Code.
Dominic Stanley Joseph MARTINS, 26 of Winnipeg has been charged with Robbery.
He was detained in custody.