Four arrested, more suspects sought in unrelated violent incidents on buses

Police have arrested four people and are searching for others in connection with unrelated violent incidents on city buses, including two where the victims had intervened between other people.

In the latest incident, a Good Samaritan was assaulted by two men who made “unwanted advances” toward a 20-year-old woman, the Winnipeg Police Service said in a news release Monday. The incident happened on a bus that was southbound on Henderson Highway at about 10:25 p.m. Sunday.

The suspects tried to steal the 31-year-old man’s property before getting off at the Disraeli Freeway and Martha Street. The driver contacted police.

Officers investigating another incident in the area involving the same suspects arrested them without incident, the WPS said.

The victims did not require medical attention, the WPS said, adding neither knew their attackers.

Two men, ages 36, and 28, both face two counts of robbery. The older man was detained in custody, while the other was released on an undertaking.

Earlier, at 12:15 a.m., police were sent to the area of Morley Avenue and Hugo Street South after a 22-year-old man was stabbed on a bus. Officers gave the victim emergency medical care, including applying a tourniquet, before he was taken to hospital. Several suspects fled before police arrived.

Police learned a group of females were on the bus when they became involved in a verbal confrontation with a 23-year-old woman. The victim, who knows the 23-year-old passenger, intervened and was stabbed by one of the females.

The suspects fled. No arrests have been made.

Police also announced Monday that two males are facing charges after a 21-year-old man was stabbed during an attempted robbery on a bus in the area of Portage Avenue and Main Street on the night of April 2.

The victim was taken to hospital in unstable condition and later upgraded to stable.

After identifying two suspects and obtaining a search warrant, investigators went to a Toronto Street home at about 11:10 a.m. Saturday, arrested a male and seized items believed to be related to the incident.

A second male was also arrested at police headquarters, where he was being detained regarding an unrelated matter, that morning.

The victim and the suspects did not know each other.

A 21-year-old man is charged with robbery, assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon and failing to comply with conditions of a release order. A 16-year-old male faces similar charges. Both were detained in custody.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca