Alleged shoplifter charged with stealing more than $8K in goods in 17 incidents

Winnipeg police have arrested an alleged prolific shoplifter, accusing the man of stealing more than $8,000 worth of goods in 17 separate incidents since last summer.

Loss prevention staff at a retail store on the 800 block of Leila Avenue apprehended the suspect as he attempted to leave with about $285 worth of stolen goods Saturday, the Winnipeg Police Service said Tuesday.

Property crimes investigators then linked the suspect to a shoplifting spree that began on June 29 last year and continued until his arrest on Leila Avenue.

Police said most of the alleged thefts were captured on store video surveillance and reported online.

The suspect is accused of stealing from stores across the city, including on Regent Avenue West, Grant Avenue, St. James Street, McPhillips Street, Pembina Highway, Kenaston Boulevard and several on Leila Avenue.

Mitchell Morriseau, 43, was charged with 17 counts of theft under $5,000 and was held in custody.

Since 2013, he’s been convicted of several assaults, drug possession, weapons offences, escaping custody and several breaches of court orders, as well as one prior count of theft under $5,000, court records show.

He’s also accused of an assault allegedly committed in January, as well as an alleged assault with a weapon and a probation order breach from 2018, all of which remain before the court.