The Winnipeg Police Service has made significant progress in apprehending suspects involved in a string of break-ins in the South Pembina area between October 2023 and February 2024.
During this period, apartment complexes were targeted, resulting in the theft of valuable items such as financial securities and identity documents. These stolen documents were later used to make fraudulent purchases. Thanks to citizen reporting and surveillance footage, investigators identified additional suspects linked to these crimes.
Investigators uncovered that the suspects repeatedly entered an apartment complex on Dalhousie Street, breaking into tenant mailboxes multiple times. This spree of thefts caused personal loss to victims and significant damage to the property.
On February 16, 2024, a vehicle parked at a restaurant on Pembina Highway fell victim to theft, with a laptop and cash stolen after the car’s window was smashed.
In a recent breakthrough, the Winnipeg Police Service Property Crime Unit executed a search warrant in the Fort Richmond neighborhood on April 9, 2024. This led to the arrest of two individuals, Heather Alyson Smith and Cheyne Keeper, and the seizure of stolen items, including laptops and identity documents.
Heather Alyson Smith, 38, faces charges for her alleged involvement related to 16 break-and-enter offences and is currently in custody. Cheyne Keeper, 40, faces charges for her alleged involvement including weapon possession and possession of stolen property and is also detained.
The investigation continues with the assistance of the Financial Crimes Unit. The Winnipeg Police Service advises the public to record serial numbers of personal items to facilitate recovery in case of theft and encourages reporting such crimes promptly to aid in apprehending perpetrators and recovering stolen property.
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