Winnipeg police arrest 2 in month-long string of commercial break-ins

Two suspects are in custody after a string of commercial break-ins, Winnipeg police say.

Officers were called to a restaurant on Provencher Boulevard just before 5 a.m. Monday, where they spotted a smashed window and two people inside the building.

The suspects ran out the back door, police said — one was arrested immediately, while the other allegedly sprayed a pursuing officer in the face with bear spray.

He was arrested, and the officer was treated for the effects of the spray.

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Further investigation by the major crimes unit linked the two men to a rash of break-ins at more than 15 Winnipeg businesses, focused around the St. James and Provencher neighbourhoods, over a month-long period.

A 35-year-old suspect faces a whopping 17 break-and-enter charges, as well as weapon possession. He was also the subject of four outstanding warrants.

The second man, 23, has been charged with assaulting a peace officer with a weapon, assault with a weapon, two counts of weapon possession, break and enter, and was the subject of two warrants of his own.

0:56 Business owner deals with seventh break-in of year