Three Winnipeg teens have been charged after two people were robbed and assaulted with bear spray in separate attacks, including one at St. Vital mall.
On Thursday at about 8:40 p.m., police were called after a 16-year-old boy was robbed at knifepoint and attacked with bear spray on St. Anne’s Road, the Winnipeg Police Service said in a news release Saturday. Two other victims were sprayed but left the area before police arrived.
The Free Press has confirmed the attack happened at St. Vital Centre.
Three Winnipeg teens have been charged after two people were robbed and assaulted with bear spray in separate attack. (John Woods / The Canadian Press files)
A group of Good Samaritans helped police locate three male suspects, who were seen running southbound on St. Anne’s. During the arrests, one of the suspects threatened to kill officers and a Taser was used, police said.
Bear spray and a knife were seized from the suspects, police said.
Officers later learned the same suspects were believed to be involved in a robbery at a business in the 1200 block of St. Mary’s Road earlier in the day.
The suspects attacked a 19-year-old male employee with bear spray and stole the business’s cash register before fleeing on foot, police said.
Police said the victims and suspects did not know each other.
Three male teens, ages 14, 15 and 17, are facing a variety of charges including assault with a weapon.
All three have been detained in custody.
Anyone with information about the attacks is asked to call 204-986-6219 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).
