Three students robbed while walking to school: WPS
Winnipeg's major crimes unit is investigating what police describe as an alarming incident – three separate students were robbed in broad daylight while walking to school.
The students, each in their teens, had been walking to Elmwood High School on Thursday morning between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. Police said each one was approached by a stranger wearing a ski mask and a dark jacket with the hood up.
The person had a weapon and robbed the students.
"It is alarming, and really, because it's a crime of opportunity it is sometimes difficult to safeguard yourself," said. Const. Dani McKinnon, a public information officer with the Winnipeg Police Service.
"I mean, these kids are probably walking down this path often to get to school…it's light out, there's other pedestrians and other vehicle traffic."
McKinnon said the students were not injured in the robbery. After handing over the items, she said the suspect took off and the students were able to run safely to school and immediately reported what happened.
She said in this case, the students did everything right – they handed over their property without fighting and were able to get away safely.
"Although there may be some burden and expense and inconvenience, all material goods can be replaced," McKinnon said. "Unfortunately, we know that there has been other scenarios similar to this and things have escalated."
The Winnipeg School Division confirmed it has sent out a notification to parents informing them of what happened. The division deferred any further comment to police.
The Major Crimes Unit is now canvassing the area and looking for video surveillance that may help them find the suspect. The description of the suspect is light on details – a male wearing a ski mask and a dark jacket with the hood pulled up.
Investigators are asking residents and businesses in the area to check any video surveillance that could help identify the suspect. Anyone with information is asked to contact Major Crimes Unit investigators at 204-986-6219 or contact Crime Stoppers.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
U.S. paused bomb shipment to Israel to signal concerns over Rafah invasion, official says
The U.S. paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over concerns that Israel was approaching a decision on launching a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah against the wishes of the U.S.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.