Police looking into robbery of children captured on video

The Winnipeg Police Service said it is aware of a video circulating online that appears to show two children robbed while walking home from the library.

The mother of the siblings said the Sept. 26 incident, which happened in the area of Andrews Street and Magnus Avenue at around 7:30 p.m., has left her children afraid and her feeling guilty.

“I should have been there with them. I felt horrible,” said Brittany Beaudet. “I would have been out the door if I knew any sooner to help them out.”

In the 40-second video, the two children, 14-year-old Mason and nine-year-old Kenzie, are approached by a man wearing a black shirt, black pants and white shoes.

The man is seen speaking with Mason, who cooperates and puts up his hands and appears to comfort his little sister.

The man then pats down the boy and checks his pockets before moving over to his sister and taking a neon pink backpack off her. Beaudet said it was filled with toys, snacks and other trinkets.

The robbery was captured on camera by the Andrews Street Family Centre. A representative from the organization was not available for an interview.

“We are aware of the incident and the video and are in the process of reaching out to the victim,” WPS Const. Pat Saydak said Thursday.

The children were not hurt in the incident.

“My daughter is more shaken up to walk by people under the influence now after this has happened,” Beaudet said. “She thinks it’s going to happen again.”

The mother said she doesn’t know for sure if the man in the video is under the influence, but said his behaviour indicated he may have been.

The video, which was posted by a friend of Beaudet’s, has been viewed thousands of times. Dozens have reached out to the family to offer support.

“I’m really shocked at how big it blew up and how many people are reaching out to check on the kids,” she said. “It’s really amazing how much people really care about other peoples’ kids.”

Beaudet said while the incident left her reeling, she was incredibly proud of her son, who she said kept calm in a dangerous situation.

“If he did react, and tried to push the guy away, or try running or something, it could have been a different outcome and that could have been a lot worse,” she said.

The mother said she hopes the man captured on video turns himself into police, as she feels it’s only a matter of time until he is arrested.

“It doesn’t matter what you’ve gone through in life,” she said. “You shouldn’t be touching other kids. You should be looking out for them.”

morgan.modjeski@winnipegfreepress.com