Manitoba RCMP have arrested and charged four people in connection to ‘numerous incidents’ in the Powerview-Pine Falls area one month after the town held an emergency meeting on the sharp increase in break and enters.
“From breaking holes in the walls to defecating on peoples furniture, it’s getting scary,” Margie Bonekamp, Chief Administrative Officer for the town of Powerview-Pine Falls told Global News in October. “There is anger, and a lot of fear.”
Police say from January to October 31, 122 homes were broken into, up from 90 in 2015.
RCMP also say there were 104 seasonal cottages were also hit in that same period, up from 85 in 2015.
RCMP increased patrols in the area and on November 9, got a tip about a break-in that included a car description and license plate.
Officers found the car with three men inside, and say it also held stolen items. Four men were eventually arrested. Police believe they are connected to at least eight break-ins and RCMP are investigating further connections to other crimes.
Arrested and charged:
Norbert Dale Courchene, 40: 21 criminal code offences
Travis Bradford Courchen, 31: 8 offences
Norbert Larry Courchene, 60: 9 offences
Joshua Leighton Bruyere, 30: 3 offences.