ManitobaA 31-year-old man who Winnipeg police describe as a “prolific shoplifter” has been charged in connection with about two dozen thefts, robberies and a break-in between May and July.Suspect, 31, was out of custody on bail, probation, police say Bryce Hoye · CBC News · Posted: Aug 13, 2025 5:27 PM EDT | Last Updated: 2 hours agoBetween May 9 and July 31, a man stole from nearly two dozen locations across Winnipeg, police say. (Shutterstock / Robert Kneschke)A 31-year-old man who Winnipeg police describe as a “prolific shoplifter” has been charged in connection with about two dozen thefts, robberies and a break-in between May and July.Ushman Singh said the man became known to staff this summer at the gas station where he works on King Edward Street.They had a photo of him printed out from surveillance footage, Singh says, because on “probably 10″ occasions he allegedly walked in, filled a bag with merchandise and walked out. In one case, Ushman said the suspect threatened his coworker with a knife when confronted during a theft.”It’s scary for us but if [they] arrested that guy that’s helpful,” said Singh.The investigation is ongoing and any additional reports associated with the King Edward gas station will be reviewed, said Const. Stephen Spencer with the Winnipeg police public information office.The threat against Ushman’s coworker resulted in one of two robbery charges laid against the man after his arrest late last month, according to a police news release issued Wednesday. The 31-year-old was also charged with 20 counts of theft under $5,000, one count of breaking and entering a house, failing to comply with a probation order and four counts of failing to comply with the conditions of a release order.Police would not provide more details or reveal what other specific locations were hit in the thefts.The thefts and robberies happened between May 9 and July 31, according to the news release. Police arrested the man on the evening of July 31 in the area of Keewatin Street and Logan Avenue.It’s in that area where he allegedly stole products from a Keewatin convenience store on three occasions — on June 21, July 3 and July 10. In the latter case, police allege the man pulled a knife and threatened to stab employees.On five separate days — May 9 and 10, June 6, 10, 14 — he allegedly stole from retail stores on Sterling Lyon Parkway, according the news release.In some case, thefts were committed at more than one location in the same day.On July 3 alone, police allege he stole from a hardware store on Empress Avenue, the Keewatin convenience store and a retailer in the 1400 block of Portage Avenue.Police say he took merchandise from the Portage location May 26, June 11 and 16, and July 3 and 6.The same days he hit that Portage retail location June 16 and July 3, he allegedly stole merchandise from a hardware store on Empress Street near St. Matthews Avenue that he also stole from on June 15, according to police.Another theft happened at a retailer on St. Mary’s Road on June 25; one occurred at a Grant Avenue grocery store on July 4; and there was a garage break-in reported July 17 that resulted in two bikes being stolen, police said.No one was injured in any of the incidents, police say, and the man was detained in custody.
‘Prolific shoplifter’ charged in spree of Winnipeg thefts, robberies
