Two off-duty police officers were assaulted and sprayed with bear-spray while they were attempting to arrest three alleged shoplifters outside Unicity Mall on Thursday, March 31, 2022.
The incident began around the noon hour as an off-duty WPS officer spotted a male with several pieces of merchandise fleeing from a nearby store. He was being chased by a store employee. The officer followed the suspect outside and saw two additional males also carrying what appeared to be stolen items. The officer identified himself and ordered the three suspects back to the store. One of the suspects pulled out a can of bear spray and pointed it at the officer.
The three suspects boarded a Winnipeg Transit bus as a second off-duty officer offered assistance. The pair of officers then approached the bus and the three suspects exited and approached the officers. One of the suspects charged at the officers while discharging the bear spray.
The officers were able to grab hold of the suspect and told him he was under arrest at which point the suspect sprayed one of the officers directly in the face, temporarily blinding him. The suspect continued to discharge the spray and resist officers as they fell to the ground. While the officers were attempting to get the suspect under control a second suspect approached and began throwing rocks at the officers.
On-duty officers arrived on the scene and were able to arrest two of the suspects. The third suspect was arrested a short distance away.
Both of the off-duty officers were decontaminated but did not receive any injuries.
The bear spray can and stolen merchandise was recovered.
Rene Jordan Black, 23, Peter Edwin Morrison Black, 19 and Thomas Robert Stanley Kent,24 were all charged for their alleged involvement with Robbery, two counts of Assault with Weapon, Possess Weapon, two count of Assault Peace Officer, Resist Peace Officer and Possess Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000.
Rene Black also was charged with two counts of Fail to Comply with Conditions of Release.
All three suspects were detained in custody.
© News4.ca 2022
