On the evening of September 20, 2024, a dramatic incident unfolded at a gas station in the 100 block of Salter Street. At approximately 8:15 p.m., a man in possession of a stolen motorcycle was refueling when the bike suddenly caught fire. The man, later identified as 35-year-old Gene Michael Soldat of Winnipeg, attempted to move the burning motorcycle away from the pumps and towards a nearby dumpster.
General Patrol officers from the North District, who were in the vicinity, noticed the suspicious fire and immediately called for backup. As the officers approached, Soldat fled the scene and was later spotted in a nearby taxi.
Upon taking Soldat into custody, police discovered he was in possession of various controlled substances, including Percocet, Xanax, and Gabapentin pills, as well as a weapon, which he was prohibited from carrying due to prior court orders.
Soldat now faces multiple charges, including:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
- Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking
- Possession of Proceeds of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
- Carrying Concealed Weapon Prohibited Device or Ammunition
- Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Weapon Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized
- Fail to Comply with Condition of Release Order (two counts)
- HTA offence
The motorcycle had been reported stolen in July 2024. Soldat remains in custody as the investigation continues.
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