WINNIPEG – A pair of arrests in Winnipeg have brought an end to a long crime spree. However, it only happened after a chase that led Winnipeg Police and the RCMP on a long run. The arrest efforts also tied up Winnipeg Police creating a back-log of 300 calls for service.
Winnipeg Police say, “On June 27, 2019, at approximately 2:30 a.m. North District General Patrol officers located a stolen Jeep in the area of McGregor St. and Jarvis Ave. Members of the Tactical Support team became involved and the vehicle was tracked by AIR1 as it continued westward through the city.
“The RCMP were notified as the suspect vehicle continued towards the Perimeter Hwy. A tire deflation device (Stop Stick) was deployed by WPS officers as the vehicle left the City limits and as a result the Jeep came to a stop at a gas bar located in the 4100 block of Portage Ave.
The two suspects left the Jeep and confronted the 3 adult occupants of a stopped vehicle from Quebec. One suspect (Dutko) approached the car with a metal bar and both suspects proceeded to drag the occupants out of their vehicle. One victim attempted to retrieve property and was dragged approximately 6 metres before falling from the fleeing vehicle. The victim sustained significant injuries and was subsequently detained in hospital.”
The two suspects fled on to Portage Ave. in the stolen vehicle. The car was forcibly stopped by numerous Winnipeg Police vehicles at which time both suspects fled on foot. The suspect passenger (Sanford) was quickly arrested, howeve,r the suspect driver (Dutko) was able to flee the area in a stolen WPS police cruiser car. During the escap,e the vehicle was driven towards, and struck, a Winnipeg Police officer. The officer did not require hospitalization.
The suspect fled westbound on the Trans Canada towards Portage la Prairie in an erratic and dangerous manner, at times surpassing speeds of 200 kph.
Responding RCMP members were able to stop the fleeing vehicle at a gas bar located a few kilometres east of Portage la Prairie after deploying a tire deflation device.
The suspect fled the vehicle and attempted to carjack an adult female, however, RCMP members were able to intervene and arrest the accused (Dutko).
Members of the Major Crimes Unit continued with the investigation. Dutko has also been accused in the following earlier incidents:
– On February 25, 2019, a vehicle was stolen from a car rental company in the 900 block of King Edward St.
– On February 26, 2019, merchandise was stolen from a clothing store in the 3600 block of Portage Av.
– On March 1, 2019, a convenience store in 3300 block of Portage Av. was robbed. Stolen merchandise was later recovered after being sold online.
– On March 3, 2019, at a gas station in the 3000 block of Pembina Hwy. was broken into, and merchandise was stolen.
– On March 5, 2019, a restaurant in the 3000 block of Ness Av. was broken into, and merchandise was stolen.
– On March 5, 2019, a gas station in the 1600 block of Kenaston Blvd. was broken into, and merchandise was stolen.
– On March 5, 2019, a gas station in the 2100 block of Pembina Hwy. was broken into, and merchandise was stolen.
– On March 5, 2019, a gas station in the 3000 block of Pembina Hwy. was broken into, and merchandise was stolen.
– On March 19, 2019, a vehicle was stolen from a car rental company in the 1700 block of Waverley St.
– On March 22, 2019, keys and a vehicle were stolen from a car dealership in the 3900 block of Portage Av.
– On March 28, 2019, merchandise was stolen from a grocery store in the 2100 block of McPhillips St.
– On March 29, 2019, officers were in the area of Salter St. and Inkster Blvd. when they observed Dutko driving a vehicle. Attempts were made to stop the vehicle; however, he fled at a high rate of speed and disobeyed numerous traffic control devices.
– On April 11, 2019, a gas station in the 1100 block of McLeod Av. was broken into, and merchandise was stolen.
– On April 11, 2019, Dutko was observed operating a vehicle while prohibited from driving in the 1300 block of McPhillips St.
– On April 12, 2019, Dutko was observed operating a vehicle with stolen licence plates in 1200 block of St. Mary’s Rd.
– On April 18, 2019, licence plates were reported stolen from a vehicle.
– On April 30, 2019, officers were in the area of Arlington St. and Pritchard Av. when they observed Dutko inside a vehicle. The vehicle immediately fled at a high rate of speed and Dutko later fled on foot. Five grams of cocaine, five grams of crack cocaine and cash was seized from within the vehicle.
– On May 2, 2019, a vehicle was stolen from a car rental company in the 1300 block of King Edward St.
– On May 6, 2019, items were stolen from a construction site in the area of Sturgeon Rd. and Tonka Pt.
– On May 6, 2019, a stolen credit card was used at a gas station in the 1300 block of McPhillips St.
– On May 10, 2019, a construction business in the 1200 block of Tonka Pt. was broken into, and merchandise was stolen.
– On May 21, 2019, an automotive services business in the 600 block of McGregor St. was broken into, and a vehicle was stolen.
– On June 6, 2019, a vehicle was stolen from a car rental company in the 1300 block of King Edward St.
– On June 9, 2019, a gas station in the 3300 block of Portage Av. was broken into, and merchandise was stolen.
– On June 18, 2019, a gas station in the 1600 block of Ness Av. was broken into, and merchandise was stolen.
– On June 20, 2019, a gas station in the 1100 block of McLeod Av. was broken into, and merchandise was stolen.
– On June 22, 2019, a convenience store in the 400 block of Springfield Av. was robbed, and merchandise was stolen.
– On June 25, 2019, licence plates were stolen from a vehicle in the 700 block of Broadway.
Terry Johnathon Dutko, 20, of Winnipeg, has been charged with:
– Robbery (x5)
– Aggravated Assault
– Assault a Peace Officer
– Theft of Motor Vehicle (x3)
– Theft Over $5000
– Theft Under $5000 (x2)
– Dangerous Operation of a Conveyance (x3)
– Operation of a Conveyance While Prohibited (x2)
– Flight While Pursued by Peace Officer (x2)
– Possession of a Weapon
– Break Enter & Theft – Place (x8)
– Break & Enter with Intent – Place (x2)
– Disguise with Intent (x6)
– Fraud Under $5000 (x2)
– Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine (x2)
– Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
– Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 (x3)
– Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000 (x5)
– Trespassing at Night
– Fail to Comply Condition Recognizance by Judge/Justice (x3)
– Drive suspended/while disqualified (Highway Traffic Act)
Melville Edwin Sanford, 37, of Winnipeg, has been charged with:
– Robbery (x3)
– Aggravated Assault
– Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
– Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
They were both detained in custody.