Cellphones stolen right out of transit riders hands in Winnipeg

WINNIPEG — Two unsuspecting transit riders had their personal cellphones ripped right out of their hands by thieves in broad daylight.

The two incidents occurred on the same day, July 27th.

The first incident happened at 10 in the morning on a transit bus at Mountain Avenue and Arlington Street where the victim says she had her phone in her hands when a man grabbed it out of her hands and two men fled off the bus.

It happened again an hour and half later on a bus at Inkster Avenue and Arlington Street when a man again grabbed the phone right out of another woman’s hands and fled.

“My understanding is each victim was seated and it was just a reach around and grab that phone and they’re gone,” said Constable Eric Hofley, “definitely surprising for the person not expecting that what so ever and fortunate nobody was injured.”

Police released three bus surveillance photos in hopes of identifying the two men allegedly involved.

Anyone who recognizes these men or has any information is asked to call investigators at (204) 986-2848 or CrimeStoppers at (204) 786-TIPS (8477).