Police expand search for missing Winnipegger to Manitoba town

Winnipeg police have expanded their search for Eduardo Balaquit to Arborg, Man.

Balaquit, 59, hasn’t been seen since he left his home in the Amber Trails area the night of June 4.

“What we believe is that he was the victim of a crime,” Const. Rob Carver said Wednesday. “That’s all I can tell you.”

Police would not say what led investigators to the Interlake community of Arborg, about 118 km north of Winnipeg.

Searchers could be seen combing ditches and fields a few kilometres south of the town Wednesday afternoon.

They’re now asking residents and businesses there to check their properties and outbuildings, as well as any surveillance camera video taken the night Balaquit went missing.

“We have homicide investigating the case,” Carver said. “So certainly we are investigating the possibility this might not have a positive outcome.”

Family have been desperately searching for the husband and father for more than a week.

Balaquit is believed to have been working at 380 Keewatin Street between the hours of 6 and 9 p.m. June 4.

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When he didn’t come home from work family members first called, then went looking for him.

Hours later his van was found behind a building on Keewatin, but Balaquit’s son, Edward, said his van was not in its usual spot. And its window was smashed.

“It brings up the worst-case scenario in your mind.”

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Dozens of searchers have combed the streets around the area he was last seen.

“The area has now expanded from a small geographic area on Keewatin to an area outside city limits,” Carver said.  “Add those all up and it makes for a very complex investigation.”

Police are asking Arborg area residents to call the homicide unit or Crime Stoppers (204) 786-TIPS if they note anything suspicious.