Months-long crime spree ends with pair's arrest, Winnipeg police say

A man, 45, and a woman, 31, have been charged in connection with a months-long crime spree in Winnipeg that included the theft ofmultiplevehicles, breaking into a business and stealing a bike, licence plates and someone's identification, Winnipeg police say.

The pair were arrested in a stolen vehicle onthe Perimeter Highway on Tuesday night, police said in a news release.Earlier, police say, they cut off and collided with a vehicle on the same road, causingsignificant damage.

Police say the pair, who began their criminal activities inApril, were nearly arrested Saturday while they were driving a stolen truck and trailer.

Theybacked over a motorcycleparked in an alley in the 200 block of Royal Avenue, narrowly missing the driver. The pickup and trailer continued to back upthrough a fence and then sped away eastbound on Kingsbury Avenue. The two accused subsequently abandoned the truck and trailer while they were still in motion and fled on foot.

Officers seized the stolen truck and trailer, recovering a stolen bicycle, licence plate, driver's licence, a stolen ID and forged cheques.

Police allege the accused were involved in several property crimes in recent months:

• April6:A 60-year-old womanwas driving in the area of St. Mary's Road and Morier Avenue when she was stopped by three men who saidher vanwas dragging something. When she stepped out, a man entered her Plymouth Voyager and drove off.
• May 25:A57-year-old woman'swallet was stolenonLakewood Boulevard, south of Fermor Avenue. She said a woman reached into her pursewhile hanging out of aslowly moving vehicle.
• June 19: ADodge Caravan was stolen fromMonreith Street, north of Mountain Avenue.
• July 24: A bike was taken fromPopko Crescent in River East.
• July 30 around 4:20 a.m.: A business on Main Street, close to InksterBoulevard, was broken into. The intruders stole keys and drove off with three vehicles. One has been recovered, buta 2011 grey Dodge Caravan and 2004 brown Pontiac Montana remainunaccounted for.
• Aug. 8: A2002 Chevrolet Silverado was stolen on Leila Avenue, east of Main Street.
• Aug. 11: A 2011 Jayco trailer was stolenonMain Street near the north Perimeter sometime between Aug. 8 and Aug. 11.

Police allegethe accused were also responsible for stealing a2010 Chevrolet Silveradofrom a Leila Avenue parking lot near McPhillips Street, a VolkswagenJettafrom Seven Oaks Avenue nearMcGregorStreet and licence platesfrom a Ford F-150pickup truck.

The suspects face numerous charges including possessing property obtained by crime, possession of methamphetamine and theft over $5,000.