Two arrested after Winnipeg police headquarters flooded

Two people have been arrested after flooding shut down some spaces inside the Winnipeg Police Service’s headquarters.

Winnipeg police arrested two individuals late Saturday evening in connection to flooding shutting down some workspaces inside police headquarters.

On Feb. 14, at approximately 6:00 p.m., the tower at 266 Graham Avenue experienced a flooding incident.

Police said two individuals had opened several emergency water supply valves in the upper stairwells of the adjoining tower at 266 Graham Avenue.

Within minutes, police said significant water pressure built up in the pipes and forced water into the stairwells of the tower, which then flooded some areas of police headquarters.

“It became rapidly aware because water was pouring down the stairs,” said Const. Dani McKinnon, Public Information Officer with the WPS on Sunday speaking to media.

“Water was pouring through ceilings. It happened very quickly. The amount of pressure that was building up, was significant. So it just like a floodgate basically opened up. We don’t know the extent of the damage. It’s all still being assessed.”

Just after 11:00 p.m. police identified a 51-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman as the suspects in the 200 block of Graham Avenue.

“Access has always been a challenge in and out, but again, I cannot speak to how or when the two individuals, entered the building, how long they were in the building,” she said.

“Those are all pieces of the investigation.”

The suspects were turned over to the Major Crimes Unit. The pair are facing six counts of Mischief over $5,000 and were released on undertakings.

None of the charges have been proven in court.

McKinnon could not comment on if the suspects were known to police, which floors experienced water damage or how many people may have been relocated from their central processing unit.

No injuries have been reported.

Police said uniform operations will not be affected by these disruptions, however in-person reporting at 245 Smith Street is closed on Sunday.