A man is facing a dozen charges after attacking security guards who were attempting to prevent a robbery.

A 32-year-old suspect from Winnipeg was rounded up Wednesday by officers after he attempted to break into storage lockers in the 300 block of Hargrave Street for a second time. The Winnipeg Police Service says the day before, the lockers in the same building were broking into. They believe it was done by the same suspect.

While attempting to steal from the lockers on Wednesday before 2 a.m., the building's on-site security was alerted and two security guards arrived, confronting the man.

"The male subsequently produced a knife and lunged at the guards while threatening to stab them. He struck one of the guards in the chest with the knife, but the guard’s ballistic-style protective vest stopped the blade," the Winnipeg Police Service says in a statement.

Trying to lock the suspect inside a room, he ripped off the door handle, escaped, attacking the security guards in the process.

WPS officers located the fleeing man, pursuing him to the area of Ellice Avenue and Donald Street. Officers used a conducted energy weapon to take the suspect into custody after 1:39 a.m.

While in custody, offices found a knife along with stolen property on the suspect. They also learnt he had two outstanding warrants for theft:

  • Break Enter & Theft – Place (x2)
  • Theft Under $5000
  • Fail to Comply with Condition of Release Order (x2)
  • Fail to Comply with Probation Order

At this time, officers connected the suspect to three other thefts in 2020:

  • break-in and theft from a residential building in the first 100 block of Maryland Street on September 20, 2020
  • theft from a home improvement store in the 800 block of Leila Avenue on September 28, 2020
  • break-in and theft from a residential building in the 100 block of Maryland Street on November 12, 2020

He is now facing charges including:

  • Uttering Threats - Cause Death or Bodily Harm (x2)
  • Break Enter & Theft – Place (x2)
  • Possession of Break In Instrument(s)
  • Assault with a Weapon (x2)
  • Possession of a Weapon
  • Carrying Concealed Weapon Prohibited Device or Ammunition
  • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
  • Resist Peace Officer
  • Fail to Comply with Probation Order