Man charged in multiple violent thefts over weekend: Winnipeg police

Winnipeg police say a 40-year-old man has been charged in connection to multiple robberies over the weekend.

WPS says around 12:30 p.m. on Aug. 3, a man entered a store along Nairn Avenue, when he allegedly pulled out a lighter and threatened a cashier and demanded money.

The man left without receiving any money, according to police.

Around 15 minutes later, the man reportedly confronted an elderly woman who was sitting in her vehicle and threatened to stab her after throwing her to the ground. He then drove off in her vehicle.

The woman suffered serious injuries from the incident and was taken to a hospital. Police say it is unclear if she is still in hospital.

Around 5:45 a.m. on Aug. 4, police say a man confronted a woman at a store along Regent Avenue West.

During the confrontation, the man attempted to steal the woman’s vehicle and threw her to the ground. The man was reportedly unable to start the vehicle — which police believe was due to the fact the woman had a fob — so he fled on foot after allegedly stealing the woman’s purse.

The woman suffered minor injuries in the incident.

Around 7:30 a.m., the man entered another store along Regent Avenue West and confronted another woman.

Reports indicate the man lured the woman outside by telling her there was something wrong with her vehicle. Once outside, he allegedly assaulted her, punching her several times and threatened to kill her, before taking her vehicle and fleeing the area.

A short time later, police noticed a stolen vehicle along Selkirk Avenue, before finding the man believed to be involved in all of the incidents listed above, and taking him into custody.

WPS has since charged 40-year-old Scott Matthew MacCaull with four counts of robbery, aggravated assault, uttering threats, and possession of property obtained by a crime over $5,000.

Investigators say all the incidents appear to have been random.