Winnipeg Police Service

May 16, 2019

Winnipeg Police Service Media Release
For Immediate Release

Robbery – Public Assistance Requested/Update: C19-61185 & R19-18857

On May 14, 2019, the Major Crimes Unit asked the public for their assistance with identifying suspects believed to be involved in the robbery of a 54-year-old male on March, 2019. The incident had occurred in the area of Main Street and Jefferson Avenue.

The victim’s bank card had been used at a number of nearby businesses and investigators released surveillance images of two male suspects.

At approximately 4 p.m., one suspect turned himself in at the Winnipeg Police Service HQ building. A 43-year-old male of Winnipeg has been arrested for:

- Use of Credit Card (x2)

The male was not charged for the robbery and has been released on a Promise to Appear.

Major Crimes Unit investigators continue to ask the public for their help with identifying a remaining suspect.

Anyone with information on the identity of the male in red is asked to contact the Major Crimes Unit at 204-986-6219 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).

---

Serious Motor Vehicle Collision – Investigation: C19-107401

On May 15, 2019, at approximately 11:25 p.m., emergency personnel responded to the 1500 block of Portage Avenue for a report of a hit & run collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian.

Upon arrival, a female in her 30’s was located suffering from serious injuries. She was transported to hospital in critical condition and has been upgraded to stable condition where she remains at this time.

It is believed that the pedestrian was struck by an eastbound vehicle after stepping onto the roadway.

On May 16, 2019, at approximately 1:10 a.m., a General Patrol unit was flagged down in the area of Garry Street and St. Mary Avenue at which time an adult male suspect turned himself in and was placed under arrest. A vehicle, believed to be involved in the incident, was located in the Fairfield Park area.

This investigation is continuing by members of the Traffic Division. Investigators are looking for possible witnesses to the collision. Anyone with information that may assist investigators is asked to call 204-986-7085 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).

---

Assault with a Weapon/Robberies – Arrest: C19-105682

On May 14, 2019, at approximately 6:05 a.m., a male victim was walking in the area of Notre Dame Avenue and Winnipeg Avenue West when he was approached by a male who knocked the victim’s coffee over the victim’s face and torso without provocation.

The male suspect then attended to a nearby restaurant where he jumped a counter and demanded to use a phone. Staff attempted to flee; however, the male suspect grabbed a female employee and was given a phone which he later stole. He then grabbed a carafe of hot tea and threw it towards a customer, but struck a wall. Staff fled the restaurant by crawling through a drive-thru window.

A short time later, the male suspect attended a gas station in the Weston/Brooklands area at which time he stole a pack of cigarettes and began smoking inside the business. The male vandalized the store while throwing merchandise and lit cigarettes at a female employee. He later held a lit lighter up to a gas nozzle before returning inside the store and stealing a drink.

The male suspect then attended a nearby convenience store where he demanded to use a phone and threatened to kill a male employee. The male suspect again stole a pack of cigarettes and began smoking inside the business, pacing around the store until police arrived.

Officers were required to use force to safely take the male suspect into custody. He was subsequently transported to hospital due to his agitated state and treated. It is believed that recent drug use may have played a role in the incident.

Drew Matthew Towns, a 20-year-old of St. Jean Baptiste, has been charged with:

- Assault with a Weapon (x2)
- Robbery (x3)
- Mischief Under $5,000/Obstruct in Enjoyment (x2)
- Uttering Threats - Cause Death or Bodily Harm
- Uttering Threats - Damage Property

He was detained in custody.

---

Weapon & Drug Offences – Arrest: C19-107207

On May 15, 2019, at approximately 6:15 p.m., members of the Winnipeg Police Service responded to the area of Main Street and Inkster Boulevard for a report of a male armed with a firearm.

A short time later, officers located a male suspect as he walked northbound on Main Street. The male was safely taken into custody near Rupertsland Avenue and was found to be in possession of:

- A loaded .22 calibre semi-automatic handgun
- Body armour (which he had been wearing)
- Approximately 21 grams of cocaine (estimated street value of $1,300)
- $2,940 in Canadian currency

Dustin Wayne Johnson, a 23-year-old male of Winnipeg, has been charged with:

- Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine
- Carrying Concealed Weapon Prohibited Device or Ammunition
- Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized
- Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition
- Possession of Firearm, Restricted/Prohibited Weapon or Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order (x6)
- Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000
- Possess body armour without a valid permit or in a manner inconsistent with the valid permit (The Body Armour and Fortified Vehicle Control Act)

He was detained in custody.

---

Weapons – Arrest: C19-106504

On May 15, 2019, at approximately 12:40 a.m., an East District General Patrol unit observed a sport utility vehicle (SUV) travelling northbound on Watt Street with an obstructed licence plate.

The vehicle was pulled over in the area of Watt Street and Talbot Avenue. A hatchet was observed inside the vehicle at which time the four occupants were placed under arrest.

 A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of a number of items including:

- A hatchet
- A knife and sheath
- Brass knuckles
- Two large machetes
- An operational “stun gun”
- A loaded sawed-off 12 gauge shotgun
- Numerous rounds of ammunition (various types including .22 calibre and 12 gauge rounds)
- Three masks

Pierre Flett, a 31-year-old male of Winnipeg, has been charged with:

- Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm in Motor Vehicle
- Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized
- Possession of a Weapon (x7)
- Careless Storage of Firearm, Weapon, Prohibited Device or Ammunition (x2)
- Possession of Firearm, Restricted/P rohibited Weapon or Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order (x8)

Flett was also processed on an outstanding arrest warrant for:

- Fail to Appear – Promise to Appear (Identification Unit)

Roger Clint Genaille, a 23-year-old male of no fixed address, has been charged with:

- Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm in Motor Vehicle
- Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized
- Possession of a Weapon (x7)
- Careless Storage of Firearm, Weapon, Prohibited Device or Ammunition (x2)
- Fail to Comply with Probation Order (x7)

Genaille was also processed on an outstanding arrest warrant for:

- Fail to Comply with Probation Order

Jason Hay, a 35-year-old male of Beausejour, has been charged with:

- Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm in Motor Vehicle
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
- Possession of a Weapon (x7)
- Careless Storage of Firearm, Weapon, Prohibited Device or Ammunition (x2)

Christopher Anthony Pirart, a 32-year-old male of Beausejour, has been charged with:

- Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm in Motor Vehicle
- Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized
- Possession of a Weapon (x7)
- Careless Storage of Firearm, Weapon, Prohibited Device or Ammunition (x2)
- Possession of Firearm, Restricted/Prohibited Weapon or Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order (x2)

All four have been detained in custody.

---

• Last Update: May 16, 2019

---

Tweet