A Winnipeg police vehicle is photographed at a scene in Winnipeg, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Lipnowski)
A man has been charged following a months-long investigation into a series of retail thefts and robberies across Winnipeg.
Winnipeg police began investigating in May 2026 after a string of incidents at retail locations throughout the city, including thefts at businesses on St. Anne’s Road, Main Street, Henderson Highway, St. Mary’s Road, Leila Avenue and Regent Avenue West. In two of the incidents, staff were threatened with a knife.
All incidents were captured on security cameras and reported to police. The combined loss to retailers is estimated at under $5,000.
On Monday, officers located the man near Salter Street and Partridge Avenue and took him into custody.
Brian Kevin Douglas Blanco, 44, has been charged with six counts of robbery, five counts of disguise with intent and four counts of theft under $5,000.
He was detained in custody.
The charges haven’t been tested in court.
