Charges in gang firebombings

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This article was published 15/07/2011 (5209 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Police charged two men Thursday after two city businesses were firebombed in gang-war attacks earlier this week.

A 33-year-old man faces two charges of arson in connection with Wednesday’s firebombing of an Osborne Street tattoo parlour and Sunday’s attack on a used car dealership on St. Mary’s Road.

A 23-year-old man was also charged with arson in the used car dealership attack.

The arrests are the first in the recent turf war between the Rock Machine and the Redlined Support Crew, an affiliate of the Hells Angels, police said.

Despite the arrests, police are still concerned the violence will escalate.

“I think it’d be naive for us to say that this is over,” said Winnipeg Police Service Const. Jason Michalyshen. “This is ongoing and we’re not letting up in any way, shape or form.”

Officers arrested the two men near 187 Ink at 177 Osborne St., early Wednesday after the attempted tattoo parlour firebombing, said police.

The men have ties to the Rock Machine gang, said a source.

The tattoo parlour sustained about $2,000 damage after a thick glass window on its front door was broken in the attempted firebombing.

It was the latest of 13 incidents since mid-June police said are linked to an ongoing gang war.

Other gang-motivated attacks have left homes riddled with bullets and buildings damaged by fire, and a 14-year-old boy injured on Taft Crescent after he was shot.

“From our perspective, I think things have escalated already. I think it’s sheer luck that we haven’t had further injuries or even fatalities as a result of some of these violent acts,” said Michalyshen.

He later said: “We’re hoping that due to our efforts and due to the good work of many officers these incidents will stop, but we can’t assume that and we can’t let up in any way, shape or form.” Police say they have extensive resources dedicated to tracking what’s happening with gangs.

“I can assure you that further arrests are pending,” said Michalyshen.

Shaine Gerald Stodgell, 33, is charged with arson at the tattoo parlour attack and also faces an arson charge for Sunday’s firebombing at DC Automotive on St. Mary’s Road.

Taylor Brett Morrison, 23, faces charges, including arson, in connection with the tattoo parlour attack.

Witnesses told the Free Press two men approached the used car dealership and hurled fiery material at it, before fleeing.

Svenn Tergesen, DC Automotive’s owner, said his business is recovering in the wake of an estimated $200,000 damage. He said he doesn’t know the men who were charged.

He said sales have slowed at the dealership after the fire, but he’s hopeful “this is all over.”

“It’s been amazing how many customers I’ve had pull in to say, ‘How can we help you?’ “

gabrielle.giroday@freepress.mb.ca