Winnipeg man arrested for crime spree, arson

City police have arrested a suspect who they say committed a spree of serious crimes spanning several days in Winnipeg, including repeatedly attempting to run innocent bystanders down with a stolen vehicle.

Officers arrested the suspect, a 29-year-old Winnipeg man, on May 16 after responding to a collision on the 2000 block of Pembina Highway shortly after 5 p.m. Investigators received multiple reports a truck carrying two passengers crashed into a light standard before one of the occupants was seen setting the vehicle’s interior on fire, the Winnipeg Police Service said in a news release Sunday.

“After abandoning the inoperable vehicle, officers learned the driver had entered a nearby retail business where he accessed a restricted area and stole two employee wallets,” police said. “Before fleeing, he proceeded to discharge a fire extinguisher within the business. No employees or patrons were injured.”

Officers tracked the man to the 100 block of Lake Village Road and arrested him after a short foot pursuit. Police seized a knife and lighter from the suspect as evidence.

The passenger, a 29-year-old woman, was arrested in the rear lane in the 900 block of Chancellor Drive without incident, police said.

Officers discovered the 2001 Chevrolet Silverado involved in the crash was stolen from a Minnetonka residence on May 12. Police linked it to a pair of additional incidents that occurred within the week and turned the investigation over to the major crimes unit.

Hours before crashing the vehicle, around 1:25 p.m., police say the male suspect went to a music store on the 1800 block of Pembina Highway. After entering the business and “handling some equipment” a 54-year-old male employee escorted him outside, WPS said.

The suspect then entered the previously stolen truck, crashed it into a parked vehicle before driving at the employee, forcing him to duck behind a pillar to avoid being struck, police said. The employee was not hurt.

Investigators allege the suspect committed a similar crime on May 14, when he entered a sports facility on the 3900 block of Portage Avenue around 7 a.m. A 58-year-old employee escorted him out of the facility after catching him trespassing inside, WPS said.

“As the employee was walking back to the entrance, the suspect entered the stolen vehicle and drove at the employee, which required him to jump out of the vehicle’s path, narrowly being hit and avoiding any injury,” police said.

Again, the man fled the scene before police arrived.

Eric Ryan Moore is charged with 18 offences including two counts of assault with a weapon, dangerous operation of a conveyance, failing to stop at the scene of an accident, theft under $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and failing to comply with a probation order.

Moore was also issued several Provincial Offence Act documents for violations under the Highway Traffic Act, Trespass Act and Wildfires Act, police said.

He remains in custody.

The woman involved in the latest incident is facing charges for arson and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000. She was released on an undertaking, police said.

tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca