Man charged after about $300K in stolen vehicles, other property seized in Winnipeg

A Winnipeg man has been arrested after an estimated $300,000 worth of stolen vehicles and other property was seized earlier this month, police say.

Officers were on a "proactive" patrol on the 200 block of Tecumseh Streetwhen they saw a parked pickup truck in a private compound near Henry Avenue, police said in a news release on Wednesday.

Police searched the property and seized the pickup truck and numerous other vehicles, including several other pickup trucks, an ATV, two tow trucks, a camper, a side-by-side and two motorcycles.

They also seized towing decals, a compactor, five farmstead decorative signs, a mapping and surveying device, as well as various Manitoba licence plates and personal identification documents, police said.

The property is estimated to be worth $300,000 and wasstolen from various parts of Winnipeg and surrounding rural areas, including the rural municipalities of MacDonald, Rosser and St. Clements, the town of Beausejour and Fisher Branch, between July 2023 and early September this year, police said.

Police said they later learned the private compound was being rented, and the property owner did not know about any criminal activity taking place there.

A 38-year-old man from Winnipeg has been charged with 16 counts of possessing property obtained by crime over $5,000, eight counts of possessing property obtained by crime under $5,000, two counts of illegally possessing a credit card and two counts of illegally possessing an identification document.

More arrests are expected in connection with the stolen property, as police say they do not believe the man acted alone.

All of the property has been returned to its rightful owners, police said.

They're reminding the public to register and record serial numbers of vehicles and trailers, which includes power sports and leisure products. That documentation helps police identify owners and determine appropriate charges, increasing the chances of property being returned.