Police believe the suspect entered buildings through roof hatches before leaving with more than $66,000 worth of stolen property, according to a news release issued Sunday. “This is certainly not the first time the Winnipeg Police Service has seen this type of entry into businesses to gain access to steal and remove property from the premises,” said Public Information Officer Cst. Claude Chancy said Sunday. The first incident involved a break and enter at a residence on Ashland Avenue, between Osborne and Hay streets, between Aug. 24 and 25, when police said the suspect, 31, stole a 2007 Honda motorcycle valued at more than $5,000. On Sept. 23, police said the man entered a business on Scurfield Boulevard, between Kenaston Boulevard and Dovercourt Drive, through an unsecured door and took about $1,000 worth of tobacco products. More tobacco products — about $6,000 worth — were stolen Oct. 10 from a business on Pembina Highway between Thatcher Dive and University Crescent after the man entered through a hatch in the roof, police said. The man went through another roof hatch on Oct. 16 and Oct. 18, stealing a light fixture and two gum machines from a business on Portage Avenue between Rouge Road and Westwood Drive, police said.
They stole watches, electronics
On Oct. 21, several watches were stolen from a business on Pembina Highway between Jackson Avenue and Stafford Street after police said the man entered through a hatch in the roof. He also reportedly broke a glass watch face, causing about $4,000 in damage. Two days later, the man broke into the roof of a business on Kenaston Avenue, between McGillivray and Scurfield avenues, and stole about $23,500 worth of electronics, police said. The next day, police allege he stole more electronics — about $10,500 worth — from a business on Portage Avenue between Olive and Wallasey streets after once again entering the roof hatch. About $12,000 worth of other electronics were stolen through a roof hatch Oct. 27 from a business on Pembina Highway between Dalhousie Drive and Chancellor Matheson Road. Police say the man also stole an undetermined amount of merchandise through a hatch in the roof of a Sage Creek Boulevard business on Nov. 1 as well as a $20 razor from a Roblin Boulevard business on Nov. 3 when he was seen leaving in a red vehicle. Officers arrested the man identified as the suspect during a traffic stop Friday. “This is an individual who believed that this entry method was definitely successful … until we were able to get enough information to be able to identify him,” Chauncey said. Investigators searched the man’s vehicle and residence and said they found evidence including the stolen motorcycle, stolen property, burglary tools and personal clothing used during the incidents. The accused was taken into custody after being charged with multiple offences.
