Man charged with destroying vehicles at city water plant

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This article was published 06/09/2023 (791 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Winnipeg man has been charged with breaking into a City of Winnipeg water treatment plant and using an excavator to cause what could be millions of dollars in damage to a building and vehicles.

RCMP said a suspect broke into the property in the RM of Springfield around 3 a.m. Sunday, hopped onto an excavator and began damaging vehicles and a building.

When officers arrived, they saw the suspect in the process of using the excavator to damage a building. The man disobeyed the first order to stop vandalizing equipment. He complied after the second order. The suspect allegedly assaulted officers while he was being taken into custody.

“It might be in the several millions worth of damage,” Coun. Brian Mayes, chair of the city’s water and waste committee, said Tuesday.

“I don’t have a specific number yet, but into the seven figures for sure. I’m surprised that much damage was done. It would have taken some time.”

Mayes said city staff have not told him whether the vandalism was caused by someone who had worked with the city in the past.

Deputy mayor Janice Lukes said the incident is being assessed, but there is no risk to the water supply and no impact to operations

“The city is doing a security review. Clearly, there needs to be some changes.”

Lukes said the city expects insurance to cover most of the damage to the vehicles and building.

“(It is) very, very frustrating.”

Aaron Michael Yarema, 39, has been charged with several offences including mischief over $5,000, break and enter, and assaulting a police officer.

— Kevin Rollason