July 9, 2019

Winnipeg Police Service Media Release

For Immediate Release

Animal Cruelty – Arrest: C19-156452

On July 6, 2019, at approximately 11:45 p.m., members of the Winnipeg Police Service responded to the area of North Meadow Drive and Plessis Road for a report of a male assaulting a dog.

As the first police unit arrived, a male matching the description of the suspect fled on foot. Officers gave chase and took the male into custody in the first 100 block of Lou Peltier Crescent.

Several bystanders remained with the injured Rottweiler dog until additional officers arrived. Soon after, officers transported the dog to an emergency veterinary hospital where it received medical treatment.

General Patrol members, with the assistance and support of the City of Winnipeg’s Animal Services Agency, continued with the investigation.

It is believed that the male had been looking for the dog who had wandered away from a residence he had been staying at. Upon locating the dog, he dragged it by a choke chain and punched the dog several times. Witnesses in the area observed this and contacted police. The male then started to verbally intimidate the witnesses and later returned with a German Sheppard which he released from a leash in an attempt to further intimidate them.

An investigation has determined that the Rottweiler dog is owned by an extended family member of the male and has recovered from the injuries but remains in care. The German Sheppard dog, which is owned by the male, has been seized and turned over to the Animal Services Agency.

Amninder Singh Grewal, a 29-year-old male of Winnipeg, has been charged with:

- Causing Unnecessary Suffering to an Animal

- Attempt Obstruct Justice

He was detained in custody.

Drug Offence – Arrest: C19-157531

On July 8, 2019, at approximately 9:50 a.m., members of the Central District Foot Patrol unit were in the area of Graham Avenue and Smith Street when they observed a male and female conduct an illicit drug transaction with an unidentified individual near a bus stop.

Officers approached and placed the pair under arrest.

A search of the male resulted in the seizure of 2.5 grams of methamphetamine (estimated street value of $125) and a combat-style knife. A search of the female resulted in the seizure of 2.1 grams of methamphetamine (estimated street value of $100).

Dennis Scott Arnold, a 37-year-old male of Winnipeg, has been charged with:

- Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Methamphetamine

- Possession of a Weapon

- Fail to Comply Condition Recognizance by Judge/Justice (x3)

He was also processed on five outstanding warrants for charges that include:

- Fail to Comply Condition Recognizance by Judge/Justice (x5)

- Fail to Attend Court – Recognizance by Judge/Justice

Jamie Deanne Jaster, a 35-year-old female of Winnipeg, has been charged with:

- Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Methamphetamine

- Fail to Comply Condition Recognizance by Judge/Justice (x2)

Both were detained in custody.

Stolen Vehicle/Drug Offence – Arrest: C19-158056

On July 8, 2019, at approximately 10:25 p.m., a North District General Patrol unit was in the area of Talbot Avenue and Watt Street when they observed a stolen vehicle travelling westbound.

As officers caught up to the stolen vehicle, they observed it parked on Talbot Avenue where the driver and passenger switched seats.

The vehicle then turned southbound onto Cameron Street at which time the female passenger fled on foot, but was taken into custody after a brief chase.

With the assistance of the K9 Unit and AIR1, the stolen vehicle was located abandoned in the 700 block of McCalman Avenue and the driver was observed running from the vehicle into a nearby restaurant on Nairn Avenue where he was taken into custody.

A search of the stolen vehicle resulted in the seizure of a number of items including:

- A stolen Chinese driver’s licence.

- Two stolen Canadian passports.

- 8.6 grams of methamphetamine (estimated street value of $300).

- A digital scale

- Drug packaging materials

- Two mobile phones

A search of the female resulted in the seizure of 1 gram of methamphetamine (estimated street value of $50).

Joseph Liew, a 34-year-old male of Winnipeg, has been charged with:

- Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking - Methamphetamine

- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000

- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000 (x3)

- Possession of an Identity Document (x3)

- Fail to Comply Condition Recognizance by Judge/Justice (x3)

Caitlin Rose Mousseau, a 24-year-old female of Winnipeg, has been charged with:

- Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking - Methamphetamine

- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000

- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000 (x3)

- Possession of an Identity Document (x3)

Both were detained in custody.

Community Notification

The Manitoba Integrated High Risk Sex Offender Unit (MIHRSOU) is a joint forces unit of the Winnipeg Police Service and the RCMP. MIHRSOU today provides information regarding Justin David LEVASSEUR, (aka Jay LEVASSEUR, Norman LEVASSEUR, “J” and “J STAR”), 29 years of age, a convicted sex offender who is considered high risk to re-offend in a sexual manner. Females are at risk of sexual violence.

LEVASSEUR will be released from Drumheller Institution, in Drumheller, Alberta on July 9, 2019 in relation to a sentence for break, enter and commit sexual assault, and overcome resistance by attempting to choke, suffocate or strangle which occurred on September 2013, in Manitoba. LEVASSEUR was convicted of those offences on March 24, 2016, and received a sentence of five years (which includes pre-sentence custody credit of 16 months). Upon release, LEVASSEUR will be subject to a lifetime weapons prohibition and parole until November 23, 2019. LEVASSEUR is expected to take up residence in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

LEVASSEUR has a history of sexual, violent and other offences. Although he participated in some treatment programming in the past, LEVASSEUR is still considered high risk to re-offend in a sexual manner. Females are at risk of sexual violence.

Background information:

Justin David LEVASSEUR is a 29 year-old male with a lengthy criminal record including convictions for break and enter commit sexual assault, overcome resistance by attempting to choke, suffocate or strangle, assault cause bodily harm, assault, resist peace officer, escape lawful custody and numerous breaches of Probation.

LEVASSEUR’s offences from September 2013, involved breaking into the residence of an unknown female, while she was sleeping in one bedroom, and her two children were asleep in another bedroom. He sexually assaulted and choked the victim. He was convicted of break and enter commit sexual assault and overcome resistance by attempting to choke, suffocate or strangle on March 24, 2016, and received a five year sentence (which includes pre-sentence custody credit of 16 months).

LEVASSEUR will be released from Drumheller Institution, in Drumheller, Alberta on July 9, 2019.

Upon release, LEVASSEUR will be subject to Parole until November 23, 2019, which includes conditions such as:

Not to possess or consume any drugs, alcohol and other intoxicants except drugs as prescribed and taken as directed;

Reside at an approved residence and abide by a curfew of 10:00 p.m. to 6:00

a.m. daily, and comply with curfew checks;

Not to enter any licensed premise; and

Not to possess or use a computer or wireless telecommunication device that can access the Internet;

LEVASSEUR will also be subject to a lifetime weapons prohibition.

While incarcerated, LEVASSEUR participated in some treatment programming but is still considered high risk to re-offend in a sexual manner against females.

LEVASSEUR is expected to take up residence in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

This information is provided to enable members of the public to take suitable measures to protect themselves. Any form of vigilante activity or other unreasonable conduct directed at LEVASSEUR will not be tolerated.

If you have information about LEVASSEUR, please call the Manitoba Integrated High Risk Sex Offender Unit at (204) 984-1888. You may also contact the Winnipeg Police Service at (204) 986-6222, your local RCMP Detachment, or Manitoba Crime Stoppers at (204) 786-8477 or toll free at 1-800-222-8477.

This information is also displayed on the Manitoba Justice Sex Offender Website: www.gov.mb.ca/justice/notification

www.winnipeg.ca/police/TakeAction/docs/brochure/personal_safety_sexual_assault.pdf

www.winnipeg.ca/police/TakeAction/docs/brochure/streetproofing_children.pdf

Last Update: July 9, 2019