Man facing charges of arson, property damage at violence-plagued Portage Avenue Dollarama

A Winnipeg man has been charged with arson after a fire caused significant damage to a downtown Dollarama that has become a flashpoint for repeated thefts, threats and violence.

Police say the fire was intentionally set inside the store at 295 Portage Ave. on May 5, while the business was open. Investigators allege the suspect entered the store around 7 p.m., ignited merchandise and fled.

The fire spread quickly, damaging both the property and store inventory before on-site security staff were able to douse the flames before emergency crews arrived. No injuries were reported.

The Winnipeg Police Service major crimes unit later identified a suspect, obtained a warrant and arrested a 33-year-old man last Thursday at the remand centre, where he was in custody on an unrelated matter.

He has been charged with arson causing damage to property and two counts of failing to comply with probation, and remains in custody.

The Dollarama outlet drew widespread attention in late February after video emerged showing an Indigenous man being beaten by a security guard inside the store.

According to police, the 46-year-old man was suspected of attempting to leave the store without paying for about $95 worth of merchandise.

A 23-year-old on-duty security guard who stopped him is accused of striking him with brass knuckles and threatening to kill him.

Initially, only the alleged shoplifter was charged, with robbery and uttering threats.

After investigators reviewed the video, major crimes detectives continued the investigation and arrested the guard, who now faces charges of assault with a weapon, unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted weapon and uttering threats.

The incident prompted outrage from members of Winnipeg’s Indigenous community and calls for a thorough investigation, along with updates to security guard training.

The accused shoplifter was charged again just days later after allegedly threatening to kill another security guard at the nearby Radisson Hotel.

“If someone is concealing items and we use force to get them, then we’re criticized. And if we do nothing and let them leave with the items, we get criticized.”

A security guard at the Dollarama, who is not being named for safety reasons, said Monday that thefts, threats and confrontations have become routine.

“It’s tough for us,” said the guard, who has worked in the store for the past four years.

The guard said security workers often feel caught in an impossible position.

“If someone is concealing items and we use force to get them, then we’re criticized,” he said. “And if we do nothing and let them leave with the items, we get criticized.

“We try to put ourselves in their shoes, but it’s not easy to understand. We don’t know what kind of situation they’re in. Maybe they’re doing it because they’re full of drugs.”

Dollarama spokesperson Lyla Radmanovich previously told the Free Press that the company does not authorize the use of force in any situation.

Dollarama did not respond to a request for comment Monday.

The guard said policies can vary between locations, but staff generally try to recover merchandise when it is safe to do so and call 911 if a situation becomes dangerous.

He also described being threatened while intervening in thefts, including an incident in which a suspect pulled a knife.

“He started to pull (the knife) out and I grabbed a shopping cart and pulled it (in front of me),” he said. “It’s scary.”

The guard said he has also experienced racist insults and slurs while working.

“They always (say) that this is not our country,” he said. “We’re just doing our jobs.”

A store employee, who also requested anonymity, said workers have become accustomed to frequent disturbances.

The woman, who has been employed at Dollarama for several years, said she dealt with similar incidents when there was a location inside Portage Place.

“It’s just normal now,” she said, adding that she sometimes feels unsafe.

scott.billeck@freepress.mb.ca