Arrest warrants out for Winnipeg man

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 28/03/2021 (1833 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Winnipeg man wanted for thefts targeting Winnipeg businesses over the last six months is now the subject of arrest warrants in Winnipeg and Edmonton.

Matthew Adam Gibbs, 37, is described as white, 5-9 and about 155 pounds, with a thin build and blue eyes. He has numerous tattoos and might have blond or brown hair.

Gibbs faces multiple charges in Winnipeg, including one robbery charge and 12 break-and-enter offences. He is also the subject of a recent arrest warrant in Edmonton for firearm-related offences.

Winnipeg Police Service spokesman Const. Jay Murray said Gibbs has warrants for his arrest in other areas of Canada, and there’s a chance he is no longer in Winnipeg, but police believe he was in the city throughout much of the last six months.

“We believe that there’s people here in Winnipeg that can help us locate him,” Murray said at a news conference Sunday.

Police say Gibbs is considered to be armed and dangerous. People are cautioned not to approach him. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call 911.

Meanwhile, a Winnipeg man faces 139 charges related to numerous thefts that began just three months ago.

Gregory Francis Courchene, 49, was arrested Thursday and has been charged with 56 counts of theft under $5,000, three break-and-enter charges and 80 counts of unauthorized use of credit card data. He remains in custody.

The incidents occurred from January to mid-March and primarily happened at dog parks, daycares and cemeteries all across Winnipeg.

Police said the man would break into vehicles where a wallet or purse had been left behind, steal contents and make fraudulent purchases at nearby establishments. On three other occasions, he is alleged to have entered a house to steal contents while the occupant was busy outside.

Murray said incidents such as these happen every year when the weather starts to get warmer.

“I hope this is a lesson for individuals — and I’m guilty of it myself sometimes — when you park your vehicle and you expect to be away from it, please make sure your valuables are out of sight,” he said.

An adult and a teenager face weapons, theft and break-and-enter charges after officers received a report of three men in a shed.

Officers were sent to the 500 block of Glenway Avenue, where one suspect was reportedly armed with a rifle.

Using a dog unit, three suspects were tracked and taken into custody. Stolen property and two air rifles were recovered by officers.

Brendan James Jackson, a 22-year-old Winnipeg man, has been charged with several offences, including breaking and entering.

A 14-year-old boy from Winnipeg is also facing charges. A third suspect was released without being charged.

malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: malakabas_