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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Province's new warrant squad nets 150 fugitives

RCMP, city police combining resources

By: Gabrielle Giroday

Posted: 12/13/2011 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Det.-Sgt. John O'Donovan provides update on the warrant unit Monday. (BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

A new police squad dedicated to enforcing warrants has already tracked down dozens of fugitives from the law.

Members from the Winnipeg Police Service and RCMP D Division highlighted the Manitoba Integrated Warrant Apprehension unit at a press conference on Monday.

Since the unit was formed Sept. 26, police have arrested 150 wanted individuals and cleared 223 outstanding warrants. The unit is tasked with finding Manitobans wanted on warrants inside and outside Winnipeg.

"These are people who are getting arrested and put back before the courts," said Det.-Sgt. John O'Donovan, a Winnipeg Police Service member who is supervising the unit.

He confirmed there are "around" 20,000 outstanding warrants in the province, though a person can be wanted on more than one warrant.

People who are wanted on warrants can play a crucial role in the justice system, said O'Donovan.

Recently, a manslaughter charge against shopkeeper Kwang Soo Kim was stayed after a key witness, who had his own criminal charges, fled Manitoba. Kim was accused of fatally injuring Geraldine Beardy after she allegedly tried to steal a can of luncheon meat. The missing witness is believed to be living in the United States.

One of the warrants the unit has executed is for a man who was arrested on robbery and assault charges, O'Donovan said.

Another was for a man who avoided police for more than six years and was arrested on assault charges.

Another man was arrested for several outstanding warrants related to an attack on one victim.

"This male was one kick away from killing his victim, who suffered a broken orbital bone, two collapsed lungs, several broken ribs and very severe bruising," said O'Donovan.

The unit has three RCMP officers and three city police officers and works out of the Public Safety Building.

"I think the strength certainly with this unit is that we have men and women who have experience working both within the city of Winnipeg and in the rural communities outside of Winnipeg to really bring that intelligence together to track," said RCMP D Division assistant commissioner Bill Robinson.

"I think this sends the message to those who try to dodge the law that we're out there, that we're keeping an eye out for you and we're using the best intelligence processes and information and you will be held accountable."

Running the unit will cost about $700,000 per year, said Justice Minister Andrew Swan.

"It highlights provincial investments in smart policing," said Swan.

"Resources are always scarce and we want to do the best that we can so that the money we spend gets us the maximum safety on our streets."

gabrielle.giroday@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition December 13, 2011 B2

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