Man charged in death of city restaurant owner

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This article was published 27/01/2024 (616 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A 38-year-old Winnipeg man has been charged in the death of a city restaurant owner, who was killed after a fight outside his Portage Avenue eatery earlier this week.

Curtis Ross Dalebozik has been charged with manslaughter and uttering threats after Kyriakos Vogiatzakis, 51, died following an altercation outside Cork & Flame at around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. The accused was located near the restaurant shortly after and taken into custody.

Winnipeg police said Saturday their investigation has determined Vogiatzakis and the accused had prior contact near the restaurant at 3106 Portage Ave. On Wednesday, the two became involved in a confrontation, and Vogiatzakis was pushed to the ground and attacked, police said.

He was rushed to hospital, where he died.

Dalebozik had a history of loitering around the restaurant, Const. Jason Michalyshen said Saturday.

“It sounds like it’s been… problematic where the accused had made contact with customers including the owner (in the past),” Michalyshen said, adding he wasn’t aware of any physical confrontations before Wednesday.

Michalyshen said police have had contact with the accused in the past, but to a “minor degree”.

Dalebozik remains in custody.

Vogiatzakis’ death has led to shock and concern among people who work in the restaurant industry.

The incident happened at a time when restaurants are facing an increase in crime, including violence against owners and staff, says the Manitoba Restaurant and Foodservices Association.

“It’s rapidly increasing. It has been for the last couple of years,” CEO Shaun Jeffrey told the Free Press Friday. “For the amount of reported incidents, there are so many that are unreported. It’s a very worrying trend in our industry.”

Friends said Vogiatzakis worked long hours at his restaurant, where he was known for going from table to table to greet customers and catch up with regulars.

“He was a super-nice guy,” said friend and frequent customer Norm Staziuk. “He always made sure the customers were taken care of properly. He offered a lot to St. James.”

Silver Heights Restaurant owner Tony Siwicki said he became friends with Vogiatzakis when Cork & Flame opened.

“He’s a local restaurant guy, always there all day and all night,” said Siwicki. “He was constantly grinding it out, because that’s what we do.”

Siwicki said area business owners are distraught and in disbelief over Vogiatzakis’s death.

A candlelight vigil for Vogiatzakis is planned for 7 p.m. Sunday at Cork & Flame.

“The family’s hearts have been touched by the outpouring of calls, texts, and messages during this sorrowful time,” says an obituary for Vogiatzakis published online.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca