The Winnipeg Police Service headquarters is pictured in Winnipeg, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Steve Lambert)
Winnipeg police have charged three people in connection with a series of robberies linked to online dating platforms.
Investigators say that between February and August 2026, several victims reported meeting a 44-year-old woman through online dating sites and arranging in-person meetings. When victims arrived at pre-arranged addresses, they were confronted by men at knifepoint and robbed of personal property, including wallets and car keys.
Police allege the suspects then used the victims’ vehicles to attend various businesses and ATMs to make fraudulent purchases and withdraw funds before the victims were released.
Police identified several suspects and two residences linked to the robberies — one in the 400 block of Eugenie Street and another in the 500 block of Polson Avenue.
On August 7, officers arrested 44-year-old Reena Lee Ducherer and 51-year-old Kelly William James Johnston without incident. A third suspect, a 61-year-old man, was arrested the following day.
Ducherer and Johnston each face numerous charges including robbery, kidnapping, forcible confinement and uttering threats, and both were detained in custody. The 61-year-old man faces similar charges and was released on an undertaking, with a scheduled court appearance at a later date.
Police believe there could be additional victims who haven’t yet come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at (204) 986-6219, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at (204) 786-TIPS.
