In Brief

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This article was published 18/11/2024 (553 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Vacant-building fire under investigation

Another vacant-building fire required Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service resources Saturday afternoon.

The vacant two-storey house in the 400 block of Alfred Avenue was ablaze at about 1:47 p.m. on Nov. 16. It wasn’t safe to enter the house, so crews fought the fire from outside and declared the scene under control at 2:18 p.m. The property was previously damaged by fire in July. No damage estimates or causes of the fire were released.

Man bites police officer

A 26-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly biting a police officer four months ago.

The suspect allegedly verbally threatened and then bit an officer on the arm while police were responding to an unrelated investigation in the 600 block of Silverstone Avenue on July 27 at about 7:20 p.m. The man was taken into custody and the officer didn’t need medical attention.

Ravdeep Singh, 26, was charged with assaulting a peace officer and uttering threats. He was released on an appearance notice. The Winnipeg Police Service released information about the incident in a news release Sunday.

Convenience store assault under investigation

Police are looking for a suspect in a robbery and assault in Elmwood last Thursday evening.

A man in his 50s was assaulted while walking to a convenience store on Stadacona Street at about 6:20 p.m. Nov. 14. An unknown man walked toward the victim and said something.

“When the victim did not respond the male pushed him down and began kicking his body and head on the ground,” the Winnipeg Police Service stated in a news release Sunday.

The victim managed to get up and go in the convenience store, but the perpetrator followed him and demanded the victim buy him cigarettes. The victim refused and was assaulted again until a store employee yelled that they were calling the police, WPS stated. The suspect then fled. The victim had minor injuries but didn’t request medical attention.

Police are still looking for a suspect described as a Black male in his 20s with a medium build and short dreadlock-style hair. Police are asking anyone with information to call the major crimes unit at 204-986-6219 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-8477.

Youth arrested with a machete

Winnipeg police arrested a teen with a machete early Saturday morning.

The male youth was in the 200 block of Selkirk Avenue when patrol officers saw him with a machete at about 2:27 a.m. Nov. 16. The suspect ran when police approached, but officers chased and took the teen into custody without incident, the Winnipeg Police Service stated in a news release.

Police seized the machete and charged a 16-year-old with possession of a weapon. He was released on an undertaking.

Semi truck crash kills woman, child outside Altona

RCMP anticipate laying criminal charges against a tractor-trailer driver who’s accused of blowing through a stop and slamming into a woman’s SUV at a rural intersection outside Altona, killing the woman and her eight-year-old passenger.

Pembina Valley Mounties were called to the intersection of Provincial Road 201 and Provincial Road 306, about 13 kilometres west of Altona, at about 7 p.m. on Friday.

RCMP say they’ve determined the semi-truck, headed east on PR 201, failed to stop at the intersection and collided with an SUV headed south on PR 306.

The driver of the SUV, a 35-year-old woman from the Rural Municipality of Rhineland, died at the scene. Her eight-year-old passenger, a girl, was rushed to hospital, where she died.

The tractor-trailer driver, a 25-year-old man from Brampton, Ont., was taken to hospital and treated. RCMP say they’re still investigating but are considering charges.

Man escapes after robbers steal vehicle

Winnipeg police recovered a stolen vehicle thanks to public tips after a 20-year-old man was robbed at gunpoint when trying to meet up with a woman he met online. The firearm used in the attack is still missing, the Winnipeg Police Service stated in a news release Sunday.

Police said the victim went to meet the woman at a home on the 300 block of Selkirk Avenue at midnight on Nov. 4, but when he went inside, a group of men armed with baseball bats and a gun tied him up and assaulted him. The group took his car keys and vehicle.

The victim managed to flee when his kidnappers were in the other room, police said.

It was a blue 2011 Chevy Cruze LT Turbo with licence plate LJS195. The Major Crimes Unit is still investigating.

Cyclist struck by car on Springfield

A 68-year-old cyclist was hit by a car at the intersection of Springfield Road and Karen Street Friday afternoon.

Winnipeg police were called to the intersection at 3:25 p.m. and found the man with serious injuries.

He was rushed to hospital in critical condition but has since stabilized, police said.

Police said the driver stayed at the scene and spoke with officers, but traffic investigators are asking anyone with information or relevant dash camera footage to call their office at 204-986-7085.

Police seek public’s help in identifying assault suspect

The Winnipeg Police Service Major Crimes Unit is asking the public’s help in identifying a suspect in an assault that took place on Oct. 25.

At approximately 5:05 a.m. that day, a 56-year-old man was walking eastbound on Ellice Avenue near Beverley Street when he was assaulted from behind. The suspect is believed to have been armed with a machete.

The victim and suspect did not know each other, and the assault appears to have been unprovoked.

A recent increase in machete attacks has sparked new provincial legislation, The Long-Bladed Weapon Control Act (Bill 39). The decision to introduce the bill came after a string of violent machete attacks in Winnipeg and rural Manitoba over the summer.

The Major Crimes Unit has released images from surveillance video taken during the incident and is asking the public’s help in identifying the suspect.

He was wearing a dark hoodie with the number 02 in white across the back, dark pants and black and white Nike Air Jordan shoes, and is approximately 5-10, with a thin build and long, dark hair.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Major Crimes Unit at 204-986-6219, Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477), or online at winnipegcrimestoppers.org.