Seven youths arrested in Garden City-area robbery spree

Seven youths were arrested after culprits stole cash registers — and assaulted or threw items at people — in a series of incidents at businesses in the Garden City area Sunday evening.

Police were contacted after several youths stole a register from a fast-food restaurant on the 2100 block of McPhillips Street and threw a chair at an employee.

Officers arrested four boys and three girls between the ages of 12 and 15 near the intersection of Inkster Boulevard and McPhillips Street shortly after 8 p.m. The Winnipeg Police Service said in a news release Wednesday that major crimes unit investigators linked the youths to similar incidents Sunday evening.

Several youths entered an employees-only area at a fast-food restaurant on the 2000 block of McPhillips and stole an empty register. They also threw merchandise around a retail store in the 800 block of Leila Avenue, stole a fire extinguisher and sprayed it in the parking lot.

Youths, with their faces concealed, tried to tamper with a cash register at a fast-food restaurant on the 2300 block of McPhillips. They also threw furnishings around a store on the 900 block of Leila.

Youths also stole $250 of merchandise from a grocery store on the 1300 block of McPhillips and threw pavement stones at a security guard.

The seven youths arrested face numerous charges, including robbery, mischief under $5,000, theft under $5,000, wearing a disguise with intent, and multiple breaches of conditions. Six were detained in custody, and one was released on an undertaking.

The WPS is still investigating and asked anyone with information about the incidents to call its major crimes unit at 204-986-6219 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 204-786-8477 (TIPS).