Winnipeg police arrest man in connection with 22 arsons, break-ins around city

A Winnipeg man has been charged following multiple arsons at bars, restaurants and even two constituency offices. Jeff Keele reports.

Winnipeg police allege one man, acting alone, is behind a rash of arsons at restaurants, constituency offices and businesses over the summer.

Investigators arrested a suspect on Tuesday, following a months-long investigation sparked by a series of break-ins and arsons beginning back in June, according to Winnipeg police.

“Over the summer, our community has faced a series of fires that has caused understandable fear, frustration, and concern,” said Insp. Jennifer McKinnon, with the Winnipeg Police Service’s major crimes unit.

Police said that between June 11 and Nov. 18, there were a total of 22 arsons, break-ins, and damage-related offences.

They provided a list of the locations hit, including:

• 1763 Main St. (Nahanni Fontaine’s constituency office)
• 804 Selkirk Ave. (Bernadette Smith’s constituency office)
• 456 Main St. (Commonwealth Kitchen and Bar)
• 100-177 McDermont Ave. (Johnny G’s)
• 111 Princess St. (Exchange Event Centre)
• 436 Main St. (Palomino Club)
• 191 Main St. (Boujee Restaurant)
• 1577 Wall St. (Winnipeg School Division administration building)
• 155 Smith St. (La Roca)
• 285 Portage Ave. (Tipsy Cow)
• 146 Magnus Ave. (Provincial Treatment Centre)

While there were variations in each incident, McKinnon noted there was a pattern.

She noted police identified a suspect over the weekend, thanks to two general patrol officers. She said the suspect was arrested on Tuesday, shortly after a fire was set on Magnus Avenue.

Police say no link to extortion

On Wednesday, police announced 35-year-old Jesse Robert Shawn Wheatland has been charged with 13 counts of arson causing damage to property.

Along with this, he has been charged with one count of arson with disregard for human life, four counts of mischief under $5,000, two counts of break and enter and commit arson, and two counts of break and enter with intent.

Police say Wheatland has been detained in custody and is cooperating with investigators.

“What I can tell you is, we believe Wheatland was acting alone when he attended these locations, causing damage by breaking windows, lighting fires, and, in some cases, both,” McKinnon said, noting there is no link to any previously reported extortion investigations.

She said Wheatland was not known to police and did not have any previous convictions. The charges and allegations against him have not been tested in court.

Wheatland is set to appear in court Thursday morning.

‘We are not closing the chapter,’ police say as investigation continues

When asked if other fires may yet be linked to this investigation, McKinnon said there is still work to do.

“We are not closing the chapter,” she said.

“We have a lot of work with Manitoba Justice, securing judicial authorizations, there is a lot of evidence still to obtain and work through. So, I’m not going to bookend it saying that this is the end of it. This is what we know right now.”