Police warn carjackings on the rise after latest incident on Wellington sends man to hospital

A Winnipeg man is recovering in hospital after being stabbed during a violent early morning carjacking in the city’s West End.

And police say we’ve been seeing plenty of these incidents in 2022 so far.

According to WPS numbers, there were 41 carjackings in the first two months of the year (26 in January, 15 in February).

In the last four years, there have been an average of 117 carjackings for the entire year.

While it’s still early in the year, Winnipeg is on pace for almost 250 in 2022.

Police say in the latest incident, the man in his 50s was parking his vehicle in the 700 block of Wellington around 12:45 a.m. Friday when a group of men walked up and asked for a cigarette.

Investigators say the suspects stabbed the man and took off in his vehicle.

Responding officers provided emergency medical care, including a chest seal, and the man was rushed to hospital in unstable condition.

1:14 “It’s despair, it’s desperation.” Carjacking victim talks about frightening experience

He has since been upgraded to stable condition. No arrests have been made.

The major crimes unit has taken over the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 204-986-6219 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).

Cst. Dani McKinnon says there are a number of ways thieves target victims in carjackings.

“Some of them will approach victims who are already still seated in their vehicle and they will just brazenly hold a weapon to them and threaten them violently if they don’t give over their keys to their vehicle,” McKinnon said.

“Other times there have been some diversion tactics and other times, they will wait until someone is stopped and you get out of your vehicle and they’ll approach you outside your vehicle, but they’ll be aware of which vehicle is yours and be able to steal your keys.”

Police are warning people to be aware of their surroundings, especially at night.

“If you park your vehicle and you’re not in a well-lit area, take some safety precautions,” McKinnon said. “If you feel uncomfortable getting out of your car and you see a group, stay in your car, drive around the block and come back when there’s nobody there.”

1:33 Police stats show carjackings are on the rise in Winnipeg