News briefs for Monday, October 5, 2026

Cabbie hospitalized after assault

4:37 PM

A taxi driver was hospitalized in unstable condition after he was assaulted early Saturday morning.

Winnipeg Police Service officers located the driver at Nairn Avenue and Watt Street at 2:20 a.m., a Monday news release stated. He was unconscious with injuries to his “upper body.”

Police believe the driver was in the area of Sutherland and Higgins avenues when he was flagged down and assaulted. He continued to drive north on Higgins until he parked and activated his emergency light system. A passerby called 911.

Anyone with information or video of the incident is asked to contact the major crimes unit at 204-986-6219 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 204-786-8477 (TIPS).

Selkirk woman sent to prison for nearly $500K in tax fraud: CRA

3:08 PM

A Selkirk woman was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison last week for nearly $500,000 in tax fraud, the Canada Revenue Agency says

Michele Gabrielle pleaded guilty to one count of fraud over $5,000 in provincial court in Selkirk on Friday, the CRA says.

The tax agency had uncovered a scheme in which Gabrielle fraudulently claimed Manitoba tax credits from 2016 and 2019. She also filed and amended returns for two family members and a romantic partner, using their names to commit further fraud.

She made false claims in 22 of her own returns and 33 returns file or amended on behalf of others, the CRA says.

Gabrielle’s fraud resulted in fraudulent returns of just over $499,000. The funds were deposited into accounts she controlled and used for personal gain, including extensive online gambling.

Ride-share driver accused in sex assault

2:52 PM

Winnipeg police have arrested a ride-share driver accused of sexually assaulting a passenger late last month.

The Winnipeg Police Service responded to the reported assault on Sept. 28.

A woman told patrol officers she had requested a ride — police have not said which ride-share service — on Sept. 27. Once they arrived at the destination, the woman told police, the driver sexually assaulted her. She was able to get out of the vehicle and call for police.

Officers identified a suspect and arrested him at an apartment on Kennedy Street at about 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 28.

A 27-year-old man is facing a sexual assault charge. He was released on an undertaking.

13 guns seized from West St. Paul homes

12:28 PM

Two men have been charged with a number of firearms offences after an RCMP investigation into illegal weapons in West St. Paul yielded the seizure of more than a dozen firearms last month.

RCMP investigators from the Manitoba Integrated Law Enforcement Team, which probes organized and serious crime in the province, began looking into the two suspects on a tip from the Canada Border Services Agency.

Officers obtained warrants to search two homes, one on Pipeline Road and the other on Griffin Way, on Sept. 11.

Between the two houses, Mounties found 13 guns, including two that were sawed off, about 20,000 rounds of ammunition and several high-capacity magazines that had been altered to hold more ammunition than is legally allowed.

Ravinder Chahal, 48, is charged with 11 firearms offences. Kulwinder Chahal, 38, is charged with 12 firearms offences, including two of possessing a weapon obtained by crime.

Both were held in custody.

Two hospitalized in Osborne Village assault

10:11 AM

Two people are in hospital and another two are in police custody after a serious assault in Osborne Village early Monday morning.

Winnipeg Police Service spokesman Const. Pat Saydak said officers were called to the assault scene on Osborne Street near River Avenue just after midnight.

Two people were rushed to hospital, one in critical condition and the other in stable condition.

Two individuals, both adults, were arrested by police. There’s no word yet on charges.

Streets reopened after Sutherland fire extinguished

8:54 AM

At 4:46 a.m. on Monday, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responded to reports of a fire in a commercial/industrial property in the 700 block of Main Street.

Sutherland Avenue between Main Street and Maple Street were closed to traffic, the Winnipeg Police Service announced on social media.

At the scene, WFPS crews found heavy smoke and flames. Firefighters attacked the fire using a defensive strategy until it was safe to switch to an offensive attack. They sprayed water from above using aerial ladders. Firefighters declared the fire under control by 8:30 a.m.

At 9:14, the WPS announced all roads had been reopened.

No injuries were reported. The fire is under investigation. No damage estimates are available.