Man charged in theft spree of $140K worth of vehicles, Ski-Doos, tractors, boat

Business owners in a south Winnipeg neighbourhood are breathing easier after police nabbed a suspected thief they say stole tens of thousands of dollars worth of recreational and other vehicles in recent weeks.

Wednesday, police announced the arrest of a 40-year-old man who is now facing a series of break and enter, theft and other charges for a crime spree between Nov. 6 and Dec. 19.

More than $140,000 worth of goods was stolen, police said in a news release detailing the thefts.

"I feel much better," Christopher Petch told CBC News in an interview at his Melnick Road business, Allcraft Mechanical, on Wednesday.

The marine mechanical business also stores boats for people in the winter.

Allcraft andother businesses on Melnick Road, locatednear the south Perimeter Highway and Highway 59 junction, were victimized several times, police said.

Petch said a trailer belonging to his shop and two of his customers' boats were stolen.

"It sucked," he said. "We've tried to cover all grounds for security, we've taken extra measures."

That's come at a cost of more security cameras, putting trailer locks on all boats and double locking fences, Petch said, adding he expects his insurance costs to rise as a result.

Man arrested for string of break and enters around Winnipeg

2 years ago

Duration 2:05

Police allege 40-year-old stole trucks, trailers, snowmobiles, a boat, a tractor, a utility vehicle and other items.

Using a stolen 2001 Dodge Ram pickup truck, which he allegedly took the previous day, police say the suspect drove to Melnick Road on Nov. 6 and used a trailer to steal the following property from businesses:

• 2015 Lund Crossover boat valued at $33,000.
• 2015 Shoreland'r trailer valued at $2,500.
• 2007 Shoreland'r trailer valued at $2,000.
• 2022 Tebben trailer valued at $4,000.
• John Deere 1025R tractor valued at $10,000.
• John Deere 60-inch lawn mower attachment valued at $500.
• John Deere front-end loader attachment valued at $500.

Police allege on Dec. 2,he then went to a business on Portage Avenue, near the west Perimeter Highway, and stole a flatbed trailer loaded with a 1996 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck. The value of those two items is about $10,000, police said.

Between Dec. 16-17, the suspect allegedly returned to Melnick Road, broke into a shed and took the keys to a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck parked on the property. He used it to steal a utility trailer loaded with two Ski-Doos, police said.

On Dec. 18, police said he drove the stolen truck to Creek Bend Road in the South St. Vital neighbourhood and broke into a storage unit, but a security guard intervened and the man took off.

Sometime between Dec. 18-19, he allegedly went back again to Melnick Road and cut a gate lock to get into a property where he stole a trailer loaded with a John Deere riding mower and a 2015 John Deere Gator utility vehicle, police said.

Rammed vehicle

The spree ended early in the morning on Dec. 19, when the suspect was driving the stolen Dodge Ram truck and pulling a trailer, according to police. He had tried to steal a skid steer from a business but was caught by an employee, police said.

The man rammed the employee's vehicle to get away but the employee was still able to follow, police said. The man's truck became stuck in snow near Robert Bockstael Drive and Siskin Bay in the Sage Creek neighbourhood.

Police had already been called about the incident and when they arrived, the man was trying to run through a field. Officers caught up but the man fought back, prompting police to use a stun gun to control him.

He's now being held in custody, police said.

As for Petch, he cautions other business owners to ensure they have insurance and to also make sure customers who might be storing their vehicles have the required insurance as well.

Police said their investigation is continuing. Anyone with information regarding the incidents is urged to contact investigators at 204-986-6219 or by leaving an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at 204-786-8477 (TIPS).

Police are also reminding people to register and record the serial numbers of their vehicles and trailers to help substantiate charges and ensure rightful owners get their property back.

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