2 from top 10 retail theft wanted list arrested: Winnipeg police

A Winnipeg Police Service shoulder badge is seen on Sept. 2, 2021 at the Public Information Office in Winnipeg. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski

Winnipeg police arrested three people on Thursday and Friday for repeat retail theft – with two of them named on the Winnipeg Crime Stoppers Retail Theft Wanted List.

Police said shortly before 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, investigators arrested a 36-year-old woman at a retail store in the 1500 block of Regent Avenue West for an alleged shoplifting incident.

According to a media release, the woman entered the store around 2:15 p.m. which allegedly violated her release order conditions, picked clothes and left without paying.

She was linked to an associate – who was arrested on Dec. 2 and linked with “almost 20 retail theft incidents,” which led to two arrest warrants being issued for her.

The woman was detained in custody and faces additional charges, such as theft under $5,000 and violating release order.

2 members of top 10 retail theft wanted list arrested: police

On Friday, Winnipeg police arrested two men who were listed on the Winnipeg Crime Retail Theft Wanted List.

Police said at 11:36 a.m. in the 700 block of Burrows Avenue, officers found a 60-year-old man from the list during a traffic stop. The man, listed as one of the top 10 wanted individuals, was arrested for five outstanding warrants related to retail thefts and breach of probation.

During the arrest, officers seized about a gram of fentanyl and the same amount of cocaine, police said.

The 60-year-old man now faces two drug-related charges and five warrants. He was detained in custody.

Police said about an hour later, officers found a 49-year-old man allegedly stealing merchandise from a retail store in the 1400 block of Portage Avenue. According to the media release, the man exited the store without payment. He was listed as one of the top 10 wanted individuals and under multiple investigations, police said.

The 49-year-old man was arrested on the strength of four warrants and an additional charge of theft under $5,000. He was detained in custody.

None of the charges have been proven in court.