Violent Crime Spree for Purse-Snatcher

Manitoba Post StaffNews

WINNIPEG = A 24 year-old Winnipeg man committed a string of strong-arm robberies, stealing purses and assaulting women in the Centennial and West Alexander neighbourhoods.

His first victim was a woman in her 20’s, who was walking on Sherbrook Street at 7:15 A.M. He approached her, indicating that he had a gun and she attempted to flee, but fell after a short distance. He ran off with her purse and cell phone biut was not seriously injured.

The next morning at about 7:45 A.M a woman on her 50’s was approached by the suspect on Pacific Avenue where he grabbed her purse. He produce a gun and then fled with her purse.

Less than two hours later he accosted a woman in her 40’s who had just dropped off her child a school. He tried to grab her purse but she resisted and they struggled before she was eventually knocked to the ground and dragged before he was able to flee with her purse. She was not seriously injured.

At 3:15 P.M. that same day a woman in her 80’s was approached on Sherbrook Street and robbed of her purse.

Than, at 8:18 that evening, a man and a woman were leaving their home on William Avenue when the suspect rushed them and grabbed the woman’s purse. He produced a knife and slashed at their hands of both victims knocking the woman to the ground before fleeing with her purse. Both victims required extensive treatment in hospital for wounds to their hands.

After investigating the incident, police arrested two suspects.

24 year-old Walter Fidel Flett has been charged with:

– Robbery x 5

– Possession of a Firearm

– Carry Concealed Weapon

– Assault

– Assault with a Weapon

– Possession of Weapon x 2

– Fail to Comply Probation x 2

– Use of Firearm During Commission of an Indictable Offence

– Warrant of Arrest x 3 (for previous offences)

– Aggravated Assault

– Possession of a Firearm Contrary to Court Order

He was detained in custody

24 year-old Megan Singleton has been charged with the following:

– Robbery

– Theft Under $5,000 x 5

– Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000

– Possession of Identity Document

– Fraud Under $5,000

She was detained in custody.