News briefs for Thursday, December 25, 2025

Crews respond to four fires

5:41 PM

Firefighters dealt with a chimney fire at a south Winnipeg home on Christmas Eve.

It happened at about 5 p.m. on Dec. 24 at a bungalow on Lakepointe Road. Crews fought the fire from inside, declaring it under control at 5:32 p.m.

There were no injuries; all occupants got out safely before firefighters arrived.

Fires in vacant buildings, including two fires in the same vacant building less than 24 hours apart, also kept crews busy.

Firefighters were called to a vacant commercial building in the 200 block of McGregor Street at 6:36 p.m. Dec. 24, extinguishing a blaze and setting up a fire watch that lasted until 5 a.m. Dec. 25. No occupants were located. But at 12:47 p.m. Dec. 25, firefighters were called back to the same building for another fire, which was declared under control at 1:12 p.m. Both fires are under investigation.

Also under investigation is a fire in the 1200 block of Alexander Avenue. Firefighters responded to the vacant house at 3:40 a.m. Dec. 25, fought the blaze, and declared it under control about two hours later.

Two arrested after bear spray assault

12:07 PM

A man was bear-sprayed and dragged by another vehicle after an argument at a gas station on Christmas Eve, Winnipeg police say.

Two people were arrested following the Dec. 24 incident, which happened at about 12:45 p.m. at a gas station at Abinojii Mikanah and St. Anne’s Road. A man in a Toyota Tundra got into a verbal argument with a 59-year-old man, then sprayed the victim with bear spray. As the victim tried to stop the other man, the female driver of the Toyota Tundra drove away, dragging the 59-year-old man a short distance, the Winnipeg Police Service stated in a news release. 

The victim was taken to hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

At about 12:51 p.m., East District general patrol officers saw the suspect’s vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. Police say a 33-year-old male suspect was uncooperative while police attempted to arrest him, and that a 24-year-old woman was arrested without incident. After searching the vehicle, police seized bear spray, drug paraphernalia and $600 cash.

Wilson Hornbrook, 33, is charged with assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon, resisting arrest, possession of proceeds obtained by crime under $5,000, two counts of failing to comply with conditions of a release order, and failing to comply with a probation order. He was detained in custody. The 24-year-old woman faces a charge of fleeing while pursued by a police officer. She was released on an undertaking to appear in court at a later date; Police have not publicly released her name.

Online gun video leads to man’s arrest

11:52 AM

A Winnipeg man has been arrested after allegedly posting an online video of himself holding a gun and making threats.

Police say the man was live-streaming from a home in the 1300 block of McDermot Avenue West while waving a firearm and threatening to harm members of the public. A viewer reported it to police at about 2 p.m. Dec. 24.

About two hours later, police — including general patrol, the tactical support team, K9 unit and drone unit — entered a home and arrested a suspect, seizing a 1916 Lee Enfield Rifle and an air-powered Slava 624 rifle.

A 32-year-old man was detained in custody. He is charged with possession of a weapon, possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized, and possession of firearm, restricted/prohibited weapon, firearm part or ammunition contrary to a prohibition order.

Man arrested after packages stolen

11:38 AM

An observant homeowner led police to a suspected package thief two days before Christmas, the Winnipeg Police Service says.

A 28-year-old man was arrested and detained in custody following the theft of three packages from front porches, one in the 700 block of Cathedral Avenue and two in the 800 block of Atlantic Avenue, between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. Dec. 23. A resident in the area saw one of the thefts and contacted police, who arrested a suspect at the intersection of Arlington Street and Atlantic Avenue. Three packages in his possession were returned to their rightful owners, the police service stated in a news release.

The 28-year-old man was also arrested on a warrant for possession of an illegal substance. He is charged with theft under $5,000 and two counts of possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.