October 8, 2021 Media Release

Robbery - Arrest: C21- 217844

As previously released on September 20, 2021:

On September 18, at approximately 1:30 a.m., the Winnipeg Police Service’s East District Patrol Officers responded to the report of a robbery with a firearm in the area of Kildare Avenue and Wayota Street.

Two adult males and an adult female were walking along Kildare Avenue East when they were robbed at gunpoint by an unknown male who was also walking in the area. The suspect demanded their personal belongings and fled on foot. The victims made their way to a nearby gas bar and contacted police. Nobody was physically injured during this incident.

This investigation is continuing by the Major Crimes Unit. No arrests have been made at this time.

Update:

Members of the Major Crimes Unit continued with the investigation and identified a male suspect. Investigators subsequently obtained a warrant for his arrest.

On October 7, 2021, East District General Patrol officers conducted proactive duties and located the suspect at a Kildare–Redonda neighbourhood residence.

Kyle Charles Bickford, a 31-year-old male of Winnipeg, has been charged with:

- Armed Robbery using a Firearm (x3)
- Possession of Restricted Weapon Contrary to Prohibition Order
- Fail to Comply with Condition of Release Order (x3)

He was detained in custody.

Aggravated Assault - Arrest: C21-234572

On October 7, 2021, at 3:12 a.m., North District General Patrol members responded to the area of Carlton Street and Cumberland Avenue to check the wellbeing of a female who had been heard screaming in distress.

Upon arrival, officers were directed to an adult male who had been stabbed and began to administer emergency first aid, including applying an occlusive dressing (“SAMS Valved 2.0 Chest Seal”). The male was transported to hospital in critical condition but was later upgraded to stable condition.

Officers also located an adult female that had been threatened at knifepoint (while in the company of the male victim).

It was believed that the two had been among a group of individuals in the Central Park area when a fight broke out.

Members of the Major Crimes Unit continued with the investigation.

At approximately 11:00 a.m., a youth male suspect was located at a residence in the Spence neighbourhood.

A 14-year-old male of Winnipeg is facing charges of:

- Aggravated Assault
- Uttering Threats - Cause Death or Bodily Harm

He was released on an Undertaking (as mandated by the Criminal Code).

Weapons/Drugs – Arrest: C21-234678

In August 2021, members of the West District Community Support Unit and Organized Crime Unit began a drug trafficking investigation into a condominium unit in the first 100 block of Quail Ridge Road. The investigation was the result of concerns and information from members of the public.

In early October, while the investigation was still being conducted, the residents of the unit were evicted, and the locks were changed.

On October 7, 2021, at 8:48 a.m., West District Community Support Unit members responded to a report of a break-in to the unit. Upon arrival, officers took two suspects into custody – a male and a female. Investigators subsequently obtained a search warrant for the condominium unit and a vehicle (that the two suspects were believed to have arrived in).

A search of the unit resulted in the seizure of 16.5 grams of cocaine (estimated street value of $750) and drug packaging materials.

A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of a loaded Mossberg 500 12-gauge shotgun (“zombie chainsaw” edition) and various types of ammunition.

Marcel Andrew Dumonceaux, a 29-year-old male, has been charged with:

- Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine
- Break & Enter with Intent - Dwelling House
- Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized
- Careless Storage of Firearm, Weapon, Prohibited Device or Ammunition
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm in Motor Vehicle
- Possession of Firearm, Restricted/Prohibited Weapon or Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order
- Fail to Comply with Condition of Release Order

He was detained in custody.

A 31-year-old female of Winnipeg is facing charges of:

- Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – COCAINE
- Break & Enter with Intent - Dwelling House
- Careless Storage of Firearm, Weapon, Prohibited Device or Ammunition
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm in Motor Vehicle
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm

She was released on an Undertaking (as mandated by the Criminal Code).

Increase in Emergency Frauds

The Financial Crime Unit has noted a dramatic increase in the number of “Emergency” (also known as Grandparent Scam) reports. 
During the first six months of 2021 there have been 457 reports of such scams, involving 136 victims, reported to law enforcement across Canada. Total losses reported are $1,084, 699.82  Many cases are impacting people right here in Manitoba.

How these scams work
Fraudsters target elderly citizens in a scheme in which they arrange for couriers to pick up bail money in person at the victim’s residence. Criminals contact their victims and pose as a grandchild, or another family member, in distress who has been arrested and needs bail money. They may also pose as a representative of the detained relative, such as an attorney or a bail-bondsman. Criminal actors then send couriers to collect the money in person from the victim’s residence. In some instances, ride share drivers are used to pick up the money.
A variation of the scheme involves phone call or email from someone claiming to be a friend or family member who is in some kind of trouble and requires money immediately.  Fraudsters will call seniors claiming to be a close relative of friend. They will have the consumer confirm which one by asking them if they recognize who’s calling. From there, fraudsters will claim that there has been an accident and they require money immediately.
These crimes happen all too frequently.
So, as we head into the Thanksgiving weekend and plan to connect with family and friends in person, over the phone or via screen time we encourage Manitobans to talk about these crimes with those you feel may be susceptible to such frauds.

Warning Signs – How to Protect Yourself
Knowledge is key when it comes to preventing these frauds. Following are some tips you can share. 
• Be careful with caller IDs that look familiar. Scammers may use technology to disguise the actual number they are calling from (“spoof”) and make it appear as a trusted number.
• Be suspicious of telephone calls that require you to immediately take action and request bail money for a family member in distress. Contact the family member directly for confirmation.
• If a family member requests money urgently and provides instructions on how to proceed, do not volunteer information over the phone; wait for the caller to provide it. Some families use code words to confirm their identity.

• Confirm with other relatives the whereabouts of the family member or friend.

• Law enforcement and other legal entities will never make urgent requests for money.

• Be careful what you post online. Scammers can use personal information and pictures shared on social media platforms and dating sites for targeting purposes.
• Never send money or give personal information, including birthdays, addresses, or other contact information, to anyone you have only communicated with by telephone or online.

 If you have been victimized
Many people fall victim to frauds and scams. If you have been a victim of a fraud, it’s important that you report it. Not only can it help you possibly recover any loss, it helps protect the community from future frauds and scams. 

• Document all information about the fraud including receipts, copies of emails and/or text messages.
• Report your fraud to police:
• If you have suffered a financial loss and the value is less than $25,000 CDN;  submit your report to us online.
• If you have suffered a financial loss and the value is more than $25,000 CDN; call us at 204-986-6222 to make your report.
• If you are a victim of identity theft;  submit your report to us online.

• Report your fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre:
• The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre collects information on all frauds, scams and identity theft, whether you suffered a financial loss or not.
• If you did not suffer a financial loss and are reporting a telephone, letter or internet fraud,  there is no need to contact the Winnipeg Police Service; report directly to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre  - 1-888-495-8501.

We all have a role to play in crime prevention.