Police charge prolific offender in string of retail thefts across Winnipeg

A Winnipeg Police Service shoulder patch is seen at the Public Information Office in Winnipeg, Sept. 2, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski

Police have arrested a Winnipeg man they believe stole from over a dozen businesses by distracting employees so he could nab everything from lottery tickets to employees’ personal wallets to a $2,600 necklace.

Earlier this year, the Winnipeg Police Service’s property crime unit began investigating a suspect they believe was behind a string of property-related thefts at retail stores throughout the city.

Officers say the suspect typically went to businesses, talked to staff, and distracted them so he could steal lottery tickets, bus passes and tickets.

They also believe he was able to get into restricted employee areas to steal their personal property.

Police say he pulled this off by pretending to be a customer or a casual visitor to blend in before stealing these valuables and leaving undetected.

Officers outlined 19 such incidents in March and April at retail stores, a grocery store, a spa, and a medical clinic across the city.

Many involved the suspect going into a store and allegedly stealing employees’ bags, wallets, cell phones, or AirPods.

Another theft in April saw the suspect allegedly stealing 12 pairs of sunglasses that cost about $2,900 from a Regent Avenue store.

Police say the same suspect was able to make off with a $2,600 chain from a Regent Avenue West jewelry store during an incident a few days later.

The suspect is also said to have broken into a cabinet at a cell phone kiosk in St. Vital Centre in late April, stealing a box with 22 phones that cost about $7,000.

Officers say they identified a 46-year-old Winnipeg man as a suspect in the string of thefts. According to police, they found him on April 24 in the 2300 block of McPhillips Street. They took him into custody after a short chase on foot.

He was charged with a slew of offences including 17 counts of theft under $5,000. He was detained in police custody awaiting disposition.

None of the charges have been tested in court.