Winnipeg Police Gang Fight

WINNIPEG – Crime News – Police across Canada are engaged in a battle with street gangs. In Winnipeg, the police launched “Project Falling Star” which was specifically targeting the Manitoba Warriors.

In April 2013, the Winnipeg Police Service Street Crime Unit initiated Project Falling Star. The operation has been a lengthy investigation that has strategically targeting members of the Manitoba Warriors Street Gang.

“The Manitoba Warriors have been known to promote illicit drug sales and commit numerous acts of violence that is linked to the territorial disputes related to drug distribution networks,” according to Winnipeg Police.

“Project Falling Star” focussed on specific drug cells within the gang.

Certain investigative techniques were utilized, which resulted in evidence being gathered to support criminal code charges on fifty-seven members or alleged members of the Manitoba Warriors.  Seven CDSA search warrants and three Firearms warrants were executed throughout the project.

Project Falling Star

On January 16th, 2014 members of the Street Crime Unit, Tactical Support Team and Uniform Patrol members concluded the project by conducting those search warrants at a location in the 700 block of Main Street.

Winnipeg Police seized guns, drugs, and cash along with many of the Manitoba Warrior jackets, patches and other items.

As a result of evidence gathered, the following individuals were charged with the following offences due to their alleged involvement:

Robert Henry (51 years-old) CDSA 5(1) x 2
Michael Flett (49 years-old) CDSA 5(1) x 7
Ryan Williams (35 years-old) CDSA 5(1) x 3
Nelson Murdock (44 years-old) CDSA 5(1) x 2
Deidra Berens (29 years-old) CDSA 5(1)

As a result of the nine month investigation, Arrest warrants were obtained for 22 members charged with the following offences due to their alleged involvement:

Corrine Hogan (49 years-old) CDSA 5(1) x 6
Dakota Saskowski (20 years-old) CDSA 5(1) x 3
Mark Parkhill (50 years-old) CDSA 5(1)
Matthew Hollohan (30 years-old) CDSA 5(1) x 2, FTC Recognizance x 2
Harkinder Gill (42 years-old) CDSA 5(1)
Matthew Moore (32 years-old) CDSA 5(1), FTC Probation Order 
Kyle Henry (24 years-old) CDSA 5(1) x 3
Eduardo Campos (23 years-old) CDSA 5(1) x 2, FTC UTJ x 2
Timothy Durocher (23 years-old) CDSA 5(1)
Kathleen Shellrude (37 years-old) CDSA 5(1) x 2
Justin Pranteau (22 years-old) CDSA 5(1), FTC Probation Order
Robert Muminawatum (28 years-old) CDSA 5(1) x 2, FTC Probation Order x 2
Amanda Parisian (27 year-old) CDSA 5(1)
Vanessa Bone (21 years-old) CDSA 5(1) x 2, FTC Probation Order x 2
Robert Champagne (31 years-old) CDSA 5(1) 
Desi Courchene (27 years-old) CDSA 5(1)

DRUGS SEIZED:

• 824 rocks of crack cocaine (1/4 grams a piece) — street value $16,480
• 2.5 ounces of powder cocaine — street value $ 4500
• 3 grams methamphetamine — street value $600
• 140 grams of marijuana — street value $1400

CASH SEIZED:

• $13,500

FIREARMS SEIZED:

• Loaded sawed-off pump action shotgun with shortened stock
• Loaded sawed-off 12 gauge shotgun
• Stevens Loaded sawed off 12 gauge shotgun
• Sawed off 12 gauge break action shotgun
• Smith and Wesson .357 magnum revolver handgun
• Maverick 12 gauge shotgun
• Mossberg 12 gauge shotgun
• Winchester model 34 33-30 rifle
• CBC .22 calibre rifle
• Cooey model 38-22 calibre rifle
• 12 gauge pump action shotgun
• 12 gauge shotgun
• 2 pellet guns
• Air soft gun
• 1 stock and barrel for a Maverick 12 gauge shotgun
• 1 stock and 1 barrel for a Cooey shotgun

AMMUNITION SEIZED:

• (65) 12-gauge shot gun shells
• (12) .38 Special ammunition shells

BALLISTIC VESTS:

• 1 military fragmentation ballistic vest
• 3 ballistic vests
• 1 Manitoba Warrior ballistic vest

ADDITIONAL ITEMS SEIZED:

• 1 stun gun
• Brass knuckles
• Nun chucks
• Numerous weigh scales
• Miscellaneous drug packaging material
• Numerous cellular phones
• 3 x Machetes
• Numerous assorted Manitoba Warrior patches and rockers
• Numerous Manitoba Warrior vests (with Top and Bottom Rockers)
• White Manitoba Warrior tank top
• White Manitoba Warrior jersey
• Black Manitoba Warrior jersey

CRIME PREVENTION THROUGH SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT (CPTSD) INITIATIVE

Winnipeg Police Chief Clunis’ vision for creating a culture of safety for the Citizens of Winnipeg includes a shift from employing solely traditional enforcement techniques.

By definition, Crime Prevention through Social Development (CPTSD) involves long-term, integrated actions that deal with the root causes of crime. Its aim is to reduce risk factors that start people, particularly children and youth, on the road to crime, and to build protective factors that may mitigate those risks.

In the spring of 2013, the Winnipeg Police Service Street Crime Unit re-aligned under the command of Division 40 Organized Crime Division.

As a result, a targeted prevention approach centered toward at-risk youths vulnerable to joining gangs was established.

The development of this program aligns with crime prevention through social development strategies by:

• Identifying At-Risk Youth and younger siblings of active gang members.
• Ensuring follow-up and intervention with the assistance of Community Relations and School Resource Officers is completed.
• Efforts are made to reach out to families to ensure they are connected with resources to prevent their children from being involved with any other gang.
• The assignment of Community Relations members to attend to the families and offer support and direction to change the dynamics of families, peer groups and neighbourhoods

Crime Prevention Through Social Development is where people and organizations work together to make our communities healthy, safe and sustainable into the future.