3 suspects steal woman’s vehicle as she was leaving church: WPS

Winnipeg police say they are looking for three suspects who allegedly stole a woman’s vehicle as she was leaving church on Sunday night.

The Winnipeg Police Service says two men and one woman demanded the victim’s keys, forcibly removed her from her vehicle, robbed her and drove off in her vehicle.

One of the suspects was armed, police add. The victim did not require medical treatment.

Police say it happened on William Avenue and Juno Street around 9:15 p.m.

The female suspect is described as five-foot-five with a skinny build and a small tattoo near her right eye. She was wearing a red hoodie with grey jacket and grey pants.

One of the male suspects is described as five-foot-five with a skinny build. He was wearing a baseball cap and grey hoodie.

The other man is described as five-foot-six. He was wearing a grey jacket or hoodie.

No arrests have been made. The WPS major crimes unit is investigating.

Police are asking the public to remain vigilant when in the downtown core.

“You’re not really going to see someone coming if you have headphones on and you’re looking at your phones, just be aware,” said WPS Cst. Steve Spencer. “If you see someone suspicious, don’t be afraid to call 911.”

Winnipeg police say it was the second carjacking involving a female victim over the weekend. On Saturday afternoon, a 45-year-old woman was run over by her own car during a carjacking in a parking lot on York Avenue.

“From what we know now, there is nothing linking those together,” Spencer said. “They are random.”

Cst. Spencer says carjackings have become less frequent in recent years, dropping 16.4 per cent from this time last year, and 22 per cent over the last five years.

“In 2022, there was over 100 from January through September,” he said. “And this year, there is 56. That is a major reduction.”

–With files from Kurt Black