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Winnipeg Police Service

February 3, 2019

Winnipeg Police Service Media Release
For Immediate Release

Stolen Vehicle/Assault Police Officer - Arrest: C19-23645

On February 1, 2019, at approximately 3 a.m., a truck was stolen from outside a convenience store in the 700 block of Corydon Avenue after it had been left unattended and running.

On February 2, 2019, at approximately 12:10 a.m., a West District General Patrol unit was in the area of Keewatin Street and Pacific Avenue West on an unrelated matter when they observed the stolen truck parked. The vehicle was running and the female driver appeared to be slumped over the steering wheel.

Officers parked their cruiser car in front of the vehicle and woke the driver to ascertain whether they needed medical assistance, were sleeping or were impaired. The female immediately put the stolen truck in reverse at a high rate of speed and collided with a vehicle that had been parked behind it, forcing it a significant distance into the intersection. She then drove forward, narrowly missing an officer and striking the cruiser car on the side. The vehicle continued to accelerate until she struck a nearby tree and came to a stop.

The female driver fled on foot and was apprehended after a short foot chase. No injuries were reported. A stolen credit card was located on the female and the following weapons were found within the stolen truck (within reach of the driver’s seat):

- A machete
- A knife
- A hatchet

A small amount of methamphetamine (1.1 grams, street value of approx. $170) was later found on the female.

Courtney Marie Friesen, a 28-year-old female of Winnipeg, has been charged with:

- Assault a Peace Officer (x2)
- Dangerous Operation of a Conveyance
- Flight While Pursued by Peace Officer
- Possession of a Weapon
- Possession of Scheduled Substance – Methamphetamine
- Unlawful Possession of Credit Card
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
- Fail to Comply Condition Recognizance by Judge/Justice (x7)
- Drive suspended/while disqualified (Highway Traffic Act)
- Drive without licence or with invalid licence (Highway Traffic Act)
- Driver Fail to Exchange Particulars – To Driver (Highway Traffic Act)

She was detained in custody.

Drug Offence - Arrests: C19-23721

On February 2, 2019, at approximately 3:15 a.m., Central District General Patrol members, with the assistance of an East District General Patrol unit and a K9 unit, responded to a residential building in the 300 block of Hargrave Street for a report of a large partying causing a disturbance and a male armed with a gun.

Officers attended and located nine individuals inside a suite along with 10.7 ounces of cocaine (street value of approx. $20,000) and 10.6 ounces of cannabis marijuana (street value of approx. $2,800).

All nine individuals were placed under arrest. One individual attempted to deceive officers by providing identification of an unrelated individual. No firearm was located. It is believed that the suite had been rented out through an online marketplace and hospitality service.

Francis Carlton Devonte, a 23-year-old male of Brampton, Ontario, has been charged with:

- Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine
- Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
- Possession for the Purpose of Selling Cannabis (Cannabis Act)
- Identity Fraud - Intent to Avoid Arrest, Prosecution or Obstruct Justice
- Identity Theft
- Fail to Comply Condition Recognizance by Judge/Justice (x4)

He was also processed on two outstanding arrest warrants for charges that include:

- Fail to Attend Court – Recognizance

Devonte was detained in custody.

Eight individuals (two 19-year-old females, a 21-year-old female, two 21-year-old males, a 22-year-old male, a 23-year-old female and a 24-year-old male), all of Winnipeg, have been arrested for:

- Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine
- Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
- Possession for the Purpose of Selling Cannabis (Cannabis Act)

They were released on Promise to Appears.

Drug Offence - Arrests: C19-24133

On February 2, 2019, at approximately 6:30 p.m., a Central District General Patrol unit conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle in the 500 block of Agnes Street as a result of a drug investigation.

The two occupants, a male and a female, were placed under arrest and a search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of a number of items including the following:

- 169 fentanyl blotters (street value of approx. $3,380)
- .7 grams of heroin (street value of approx. $385)

A search of the male resulted in the seizure of:

- 4 fentanyl blotters (street value of approx. $80)
- $2,980 in Canadian currency
- Digital scale and mobile phone

Vincent Edgar Urniezius, a 48-year-old male of Winnipeg, has been charged with:

- Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking
- Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Heroin
- Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
- Fail to Comply Condition Recognizance by Judge/Justice

Karly Grace Spence, a 26-year-old female of Winnipeg, has been charged with:

- Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking
- Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Heroin

She was also processed on two outstanding arrest warrants for charges that include:

- Fail to Comply with Probation Order (x2)

They were detained in custody.

Robbery - Arrest: C18-283662

On December 23, 2018, at approximately 12:10 a.m., a taxicab driver contacted the Winnipeg Police Service to report that he had been robbed at gunpoint by a male who had since fled. General Patrol members from both the West and Central Districts responded but were unable to locate the male.

It was learned that the driver had been operating the taxicab in the 600 block of Pritchard Avenue when he was flagged down by a male. The male entered the cab and pointed what was described as a firearm at the driver. He then demanded the victim drive and later robbed him of money, a mobile phone, and various devices from within the cab including the taxicab computer.

Members of the Major Crimes Unit continued with the investigation and later identified a suspect. It was discovered that the weapon used was a pellet gun and that the male had been arrested for a commercial robbery later in the day (media release here: https://winnipeg.ca/police/press/2018/12dec/2018_12_24.aspx#commercial)

On February 1, 2019, at approximately 11 a.m., Major Crimes Unit investigators attended the Headingley Correctional Centre and placed the suspect under arrest.

Joseph Isiah Boulanger, a 33-year-old male of Winnipeg, has been charged with:

- Possession of a Weapon
- Robbery
- Pointing a Firearm
- Use of Imitation Firearm During Commission of an Indictable Offence

He was detained in custody.

  • Last Update: February 3, 2019
Constable Jay Murray, Public Information Officer
Constable Dani McKinnon, Public Information Officer
Constable Claude Chancy, Public Information Officer
Kelly Dehn, Manager of Public Affairs

Office: 204-986-3061
E-mail: WPS-PIO@winnipeg.ca

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