DNA sample leads to arrest in series of break-ins in Windsor Park, South St. Vital
Posted August 12, 2025 1:09 pm.
A DNA sample collected from the scene of a Winnipeg break-in earlier this year has led to the arrest of a suspect, police say.
The Winnipeg Police Service says a 33-year-old man was arrested Monday in connection with three separate break-ins and thefts of property in the Windsor Park and South St. Vital neighbourhoods on March 24.
Authorities say suspects forced entry into an apartment building in the 500 block of St. Anne’s Avenue and broke into the tenant mailboxes, causing $2,000 in damages. Tenant mail and three bicycles were stolen from the basement parking garage, they say.
That same day, police say suspects forced entry into two separate apartment buildings in the 200 block of Beliveau Road and broke into the tenant mailboxes and stole mail.
According to police, suspects then forced entry into an apartment building in the 100 block of Worthington Avenue and broke into the tenant storage lockers, causing $1,600 in damages. An undetermined amount of property was stolen.
DNA from one of the scenes was collected and it matched a profile on the convicted offender index of the National DNA Data Bank.
Ryan Nelson Thomas was arrested Aug. 1, and a blood sample was obtained. He was arrested again on Monday, with police saying a pocketknife was found on his person and seized as evidence.
He was charged with four counts of break and enter, possession of a weapon, and breach of recognizance. He was detained in custody. None of the allegations have been tested in court.
