Under the B, for busted: Bingo players thwart robbery, disarm suspects in Winnipeg

A woman and teen burst into a Winnipeg bingo hall with a loaded rifle on Halloween night but ended up without any goodies after peoplefoiled the robbery attempt.

According to police, the wannabe robbers a 38-year-old woman and 17-year-old boyrushed into the crowded hall at the Portuguese cultural centre, onYoung Street and Notre Dame Avenue, around 7:30 p.m.

A woman in her 70s was sprayed with a substancethat causedskin irritation. Police believe it was pepper spay but have not yet been able to confirm that.

The 38-year-old woman, armed with a sawed-off rifle, grabbed a cash tray and tried to leave but was confronted by bingo players who had other ideas.

Police say she dropped the tray as people chased her outside, where she was then disarmed but still managed to get away.

In the meantime, the 17-year-old, who wasarmed with the spray,wascaught and restrained. He was thenpinned to the floor until police came.

Officers arrested him at the scene and alsoseized theloaded .22-calibre rifle that had been left behind by the woman. Not long afterward, she turned herself in to police.

Police always discourage people from risking their safety against criminals and in this case it was just fortunate that things worked out well, saidpolice spokesman Const. Rob Carver.

"I think people just reacted the way people react. Did they put themselves in harm's way? Absolutely. Were they at risk Sure, we've got a loaded firearm here," he said.

"Ultimately, though, they did what I think people will do and they stopped a potentially violent event. It was violent but it could have been more violent.

"While we don't recommend that, I'm not going to stand here and tell you that these people did anything wrong. When you see somebody in trouble, a lot of times our reaction is to jump in and help."

The woman is charged with multiple firearms-related offences as well as uttering threats.

The boy is also charged with numerous firearms-related offences as well as assault with a weapon and failing to comply with prior court-ordered conditions.