News Release - Winnipeg Police Service

Wednesday, July 23, 2014 Human Trafficking Arrest – R13-78554 In October of 2013 members of the Winnipeg Police Service Counter Exploitation Unit became involved in an investigation regarding the exploitation of an adult female. The victim related that she had met the accused in the summer of 2012.  Learning of the victim's vulnerability due to her difficult financial situation, the accused was able to gain the victims trust, and entice her into entering the sex trade as an escort. For the next year and a half the accused controlled the victim through intimidation, threats, and violence, forcing her to work in the sex trade in Winnipeg, as well as other cities within Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. On July 22, 2014 investigators located the accused in the area of Main Street and Jefferson Avenue at which time he was arrested without incident. Jared Matthew SCHAFFER, 29 years of Winnipeg has been charged with the following offences for his alleged involvement: Assault Cause Bodily Harm Assault Living on Avails of Prostitution Procure to Have Illicit Sexual Intercourse Procure to Become a Prostitute Trafficking in Persons Material Benefit Resulting from Trafficking in Persons Fail to Comply with Probation Order He was detained at the Provincial Remand Centre. Strong-arm Robbery Update – Arrest - C14-147003 As previously released, on July 12, 2014, at approximately 4:00 p.m., three friends, two 18 year-old females and an 18-year-old male, left the Polo Park mall when they began walking to the creek area under the railway bridge east of Empress Street and Westway.   The group remained in the area taking pictures when they were confronted by several suspects. The three victims were surrounded at knifepoint and robbed of their property.   The male victim was assaulted in the upper body causing him to fall to the ground. One of the female victims was robbed of her bank card and PIN, resulting in an undisclosed amount of cash being withdrawn by the suspects.    The victims were held at knifepoint for nearly an hour and a half while the suspects robbed, threatened and assaulted the victims.   The victims were eventually allowed to leave and police were notified.   The male victim sustained minor injuries, however all three (victims) were robbed of their property. (Identification, Debit card, cash & cellular phones)    As a result of the continued investigation by the West District Crime Unit, suspects were identified.    Three males, aged 17, 19 and 16 years have previously been arrested for their involvement in this incident.   On July 22, 2014 at approximately 5:50 p.m. a fourth suspect was observed by a Winnipeg Police Cadet Unit in the downtown area.  Officers were notified and the suspect was arrested without incident.   A 19 year-old male of Winnipeg is facing several charges for his alleged involvement.   He was detained in custody. The investigation is continuing and further arrests are pending.   For further information contact either: Constable Jason Michalyshen, Public Information Officer Constable Eric Hofley, Public Information Officer Detective Sergeant Natalie Aitken, Public Information Officer Phone: (204) 986-3061 | Fax: (204) 986-3267 | Email: WPS-PIO@Winnipeg.ca Share this mailing with your social network by clicking on the appropriate link:       Related Winnipeg Police Service Report a Crime Online Crime Stoppers CrimeStat Unsubscribe If you do not want to receive these emails anymore, unsubscribe. Please do not reply to this email. This e-mail was sent from a notification-only address and replies are not monitored. Mailing address: City of Winnipeg, 510 Main Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3B 1B9 Privacy Statement The City of Winnipeg values your privacy. We do not sell or share your personal information with third parties. You are receiving this email as a result of your signing up for the Winnipeg Police Service Email News list offered on the City of Winnipeg website. You may unsubscribe or change your subscription options at any time.