The Wrap: Retail crime takes downturn, drug matriarch sentenced, forgery found at WAG and Jets extend DeMelo

Good evening. Here’s a look at what our newsroom has been working on today:

'I think the public will be pleased with the results we’ve had'

In early June, the provincial government put up $378,000 to fund four weeks of Winnipeg Police Service patrols, in which officers work overtime, to target retail crime hot spots.

It’s working so well the province plans to extend the funding into July, Justice Minister Matt Wiebe said late Monday.

Carol Sanders:

Crackdown on retail crime worth continuing: justice minister

Manitoba’s justice minister said the provincial government will extend funding for its crackdown on retail crime after police and hard-hit businesses reported a reduction in thefts in just weeks. I... Read More

'The message to those at the top of the hierarchy… must be clear: There will be a steep price to pay upon conviction'

Gasps and tears filled a Winnipeg courtroom Tuesday afternoon as the admitted matriarch of a Point Douglas crack cocaine ring was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.

Court of King’s Bench Justice Ken Champagne issued the sentence to 60-year-old Sandra Guiboche Tuesday, saying her sentence would have been longer, if not for her guilty plea and personal circumstances; a conviction on the charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Erik Pindera:

Judge sentences drug matriarch who ruled with ‘iron fist’ to 10 years

‘The impact on the North Point Douglas community was profound’ Read More

'The WAG is not alone'

The Winnipeg Art Gallery is the latest institution to have a brush with the largest documented case of art fraud in Canadian history.

On Friday, after a lengthy investigation, the WAG was informed by Thunder Bay police that an artwork in its collection previously believed to have been produced by legendary Anishinaabe painter Norval Morrisseau was fraudulent, created as part of an extensive scheme of reproduction and outright fakery led by a now-convicted Thunder Bay man named David Voss.

One of Voss’s Faux-rrisseaus is now confirmed to be a work entitled Astral Plain Scouts, currently held in the WAG-Qaumajuq vault, says Stephen Borys, the gallery’s director and CEO.

Ben Waldman:

Winnipeg Art Gallery in possession of a fake Norval Morrisseau

Forgery of famed Anishinaabe painter’s work found amid collection Read More

'It feels like home here'

Winnipeg Jets defenceman Dylan DeMelo had an eventful Tuesday morning, agreeing to terms on a four-year contract extension with the team that will pay him an average annual salary of $4.9 million.

The 31-year-old blueliner professed his desire to re-sign with the club at the end of the season rather than become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

For their part, the Jets lock up a top-pairing, right-handed defenceman, giving them some stability in what might be a turbulent off-season for personnel changes.

Ken Wiebe:

DeMelo signs four-year contract extension with the Winnipeg Jets

Dylan DeMelo was quick to put his cards on the table. As he spoke to reporters last month on exit interview day, the Winnipeg Jets defenceman professed his willingness to stick around before becomi... Read More