Winnipeg Police Arson/Assault with Weapon Incidents – Arrest: C24-107019

WINNIPEG – NEWS – On May 16, 2024 at approximately 5:05 p.m., the Winnipeg Police Service responded 2000 block of Pembina Highway After receiving multiple reports of a vehicle crashing into a street light, one of the two occupants was seen setting fire to the interior before fleeing on foot.

Western District Chief Patrol Officers located the male driver in the 100 block of Lake Village Road and arrested him after a short foot chase. A knife and a lighter were found on his person, and the officers confiscated them as evidence. The adult female passenger was pulled over without incident in the rear lane in the 900 block of Chancellor Drive.

After abandoning the idling vehicle, officers learned the driver entered a nearby retail business, entered a restricted area and stole two of the employee's wallets. He continued to release the fire extinguisher inside the business before fleeing. Employees and patrons were not injured.

Officers also discovered that a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck had been reported stolen from a Minnetonka residence. The vehicle was also involved in two other incidents during the week.

The Major Crimes Unit took over the investigation into the incident and learned about it May 14 around 7:00 am., the suspect went to a sports facility in the city 3900 block of Portage Ave in a stolen truck. A 58-year-old man the employee removed the suspect after it was determined that he entered the building and used the facilities. As the employee was walking back to the entrance, the suspect got into a stolen vehicle and drove off at the employee, which required him to jump out of the driveway, causing minor damage and uninjured. The suspect fled the area before police arrived.

The investigators also knew this May 16, approximately 1:25 p.mthe suspect went to a music store 1800 block of Pembina Highway in that stolen car. After the suspect entered the store and grabbed some equipment, A 54-year-old man. The suspect entered the vehicle and collided with a parked vehicle as he was leaving the parking lot. The suspect forced the employee to hide behind a pillar to avoid being hit. The victim was not injured and the suspect fled before police arrived.

Eric Ryan MOORE, 29, of Winnipeg, accused of the following crimes:

• Weapon Attack x 2
• Arson causing damage to property
• Possession of flammable material
• Theft is under $5,000 x 2
• Mischief/Interference with Enjoyment under $5,000
• Possession of weapons
• Hazardous carrier operation x 2
• Use of transportation when prohibited by federal or provincial law x 3
• Failure to stop at the scene of an accident
• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 x $2
• Failure to comply with a probation order

Moore was also issued several Provincial Offenses Act citations for violations under the Traffic Act, Trespassing Act and Forest Fire Act.

He was imprisoned in a temporary detention facility.

The 29-year-old female passenger accused of involvement in the latest incident Burning (Damage to property) and Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

He was released under the obligation stipulated by the Criminal Code.