Between January 1, 2025, and January 10, 2025, the Winnipeg Police Service responded to multiple reports of commercial robberies at various hotels and licensed establishments, including restaurants and bars, throughout the city. The suspects used stolen license plates in order to avoid detection.
During these robberies, the same masked suspects were armed with a handgun and bear spray. In one instance, the victim reported seeing a hand grenade. The suspects demanded VLT money and/or cash from the employees at the establishments. None of the victims were injured as a result of the robberies.
The following is a list of involved dates, locations, and a brief synopsis of each occurrence, in the order they occurred:
- January 1, a lounge in the 1100 block of St. Mary’s Road (commercial robbery)
- January 6, a lounge in the 1300 block of St. James Street (stolen licence plates)
- January 6, near the intersection of Burnell Street and Notre Dame Avenue (stolen licence plates)
- January 6, a lounge in the 600 block of La Fleche Street (commercial robbery)
- January 6, a lounge in the 500 block of St. Mary’s Road (commercial robbery)
- January 6, a lounge in the 2000 block of Pembina Highway (commercial robbery)
- January 8, lounge in the 3000 block of Ness Avenue (commercial robbery)
- January 8, a lounge in the 100 block of Dumoulin Street (commercial robbery)
- January 8, a lounge in the 100 block of Osborne Street (commercial robbery)
- January 8, a lounge in the 400 block of Main Street (commercial robbery)
- January 10, a lounge in the 1600 block of Regent Avenue West (commercial robbery)
- January 10, a retail store in the 500 block of London Street (commercial robbery)
The initial reports were investigated by General Patrol officers across the city before being turned over to the Major Crimes Unit for further investigation. As a result of the combined efforts of all involved, a 41-year-old male suspect and a 33-year-old male suspect were identified.
On January 14, at approximately 10:09 a.m., members of the Tactical Support Team conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of Fort Street and Portage Avenue, and took a 41-year-old suspect into custody without incident.
On January 14, at approximately 5:28 p.m., members of the Tactical Support Team conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of Ellice Avenue and Langside Street, and took a 33-year-old suspect into custody without incident. A personal quantity of methamphetamine was found on him during the arrest.
At approximately 8:40 p.m., the Major Crimes Unit executed a search warrant in the 600 block of Furby Street, seizing several items in relation to the robberies, including various weapons.
Matthew GIBBS (41 yrs) of Winnipeg has been charged with the following offences:
- Armed Robbery using a Restricted Firearm or Prohibited Firearm x 9
- Disguise with Intent x 10
- Theft Under $5000
- Robbery
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000 x 2
He was detained in custody.
Daniel REDCLIFFE (33 yrs) of Winnipeg has been charged with the following offences:
- Armed Robbery using a Restricted Firearm or Prohibited Firearm x 10
- Disguise with Intent x 10
- Possession of Scheduled Substance – METHAMPHETAMINE
- Possession of a Weapon
- Fail to Comply with Condition of Release Order x 3
- Theft Under $5000
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
- Robbery
He was detained in custody.
Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to contact the Major Crimes Unit at 204-986-6219 or anonymously at Crime Stoppers 204-786-TIPS or winnipegcrimestoppers.org.