Two female youths and two women are facing charges after an alleged commercial robbery at a convenience store. Around 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, four people went to the store in the 400 block of St. Anne’s Road in Winnipeg in an intoxicated state. An employee at the store, who was the only worker at the time, saw them and locked the doors to prevent them from entering. Police say the suspects got angry over the employee’s action and smashed a 2008 Honda CR-V parked in front of the store with a rock, causing estimated damage of more than $5,000. The service said two of the four then smashed the store’s windows and entered the store. The pair damaged property inside the store and all four suspects left the store on foot with stolen property before officers arrived, according to a media release. The employee was not injured and damage to the store is also estimated to be more than $5,000. With last week’s jogger stabbing incident, several businesses and residents in the area told CTV News they are feeling an uptick in crime. Michelle Edey, owner of Excess Clothing Store, has been in the area for 13 years. Edey said while she did not hear about the incident prior to the interview, she isn’t surprised. “I don’t think you can drive anywhere without seeing some retail store that has broken glass in some way,” she said on Monday. The area’s city councillor, Brian Mayes, also sits on the Winnipeg Police Board. Mayes said while his ward isn’t “the most crime-riddled part” of the city, crimes still happen. “These convenience stores have been having a lot of retail theft problems,” he said on Monday. Getting the resources is always a “battle,” he added, but Mayes believes “some sort of brick-and-mortar” presence would help – like a police station in south Winnipeg. “I’ve been waiting and hoping to get some renewed presence, and there are a number of options for that and the police have to find the money – but I think it’s a worthwhile initative. “I do hope to see that some sort of south end presence.” Police charge robbery suspects In the case of the Saturday incident, responding officers found all four suspects in a nearby area and took them into custody. One of the four was sent to hospital in stable condition for her injury from kicking the storefront glass, police said. A 21-year-old woman is now facing seven charges, including break and enter and committing a robbery, mischief, weapons-related and failure to comply with court orders. She was detained in custody. Three others – 14, 17 and 20 – are also each facing numerous charges, including break and enter and committing a robbery, and mischief. They were released on undertakings with a court date. None of the charges have been tested in court.
