On Sunday, April 6, from about 3:30 AM to 8:30 AM, Portage La Prairie RCMP responded to a series of reported thefts in the RM of North Norfolk. In these thefts, suspects (who appeared to be armed with firearms) stole property and off-road vehicles.
The RCMP announced today they had made two more arrests in the case and had issued a warrant for a third. 20-year-old James Allan Roulette of Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation is the subject of the arrest warrant.
According to a release, RCMP investigated the thefts and were granted a search warrant for a residence in Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation. Officers from the RCMP Emergency Response Team (ERT), Manitoba West District Crime Reduction Enforcement Support Team (CREST), Manitoba Integrated Law Enforcement Team (MILET), and Amaranth RCMP were also on scene to assist in execution of the warrant.
Police arrested two men, Jodee Roulette, an 18-year-old male, and an unnamed 16-year-old youth. They said they recovered some stolen goods, including a Can-Am Outlander and Dodge Ram 2500, an air compressor and battery charger, as well as a significant amount of methamphetamine, and over $4,000 in Canadian currency.
Both Jodee Roulette and the male youth have been charged with:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Less Than or Equal to $5000 x2
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5000
- Breaking and Entering with Intent x2
- Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purposes
- Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
James Allan Roulette, meanwhile, is described as 6’2” tall, medium build, black hair and brown eyes. He is believed to be in the Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation area or possibly Winnipeg.
Police said he may be armed and should not be approached. Anyone with information should call the Portage la Prairie RCMP at 204-857-4445, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.
“Since the very first call, our officers have not stopped looking for the people responsible for these brazen thefts carried out with firearms”, said Staff Sergeant Marcus Paddock, West District Manitoba RCMP. “The investigation involved dozens of officers and quickly led to the execution of a search warrant and the arrest of two individuals as well as the recovery of stolen items. We will continue our work until the final suspect is safely arrested.”
The investigation continues.
