Man and woman arrested after flooding at Winnipeg police headquarters

Winnipeg police headquarters experienced significant flooding Saturday evening after two individuals allegedly opened emergency water supply valves. A 51-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman have been charged with six counts of mischief over $5,000 in connection with the incident.

Flooding Incident Details

The flooding began in the tower portion of the downtown office complex located at 266 Graham Avenue. According to police, the suspects deliberately opened valves in the upper stairwells, causing a rapid buildup of water pressure. Constable Dani McKinnon described the situation as “like floodgates basically opened up.”

Did You Know? The Winnipeg police acquired the office tower in 2009.

Firefighters were dispatched to the scene and successfully secured the compromised valves. Water was observed pouring from the ceiling of the main foyer and pooling around broken light fixtures around 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

Impact and Response

The flooding caused “extensive” damage to some working spaces within the headquarters. While the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, police stated they are taking their time to evaluate every affected area. Uniform operations are not expected to be affected, though some working units have been relocated.

Expert Insight: Deliberate acts of vandalism targeting critical infrastructure like a police headquarters represent a serious breach of public trust and can have far-reaching consequences, even if the immediate impact is contained to property damage.

The station duty office at 245 Smith St. Is temporarily closed to in-person reporting. Residents are encouraged to file reports online or call 911 for emergencies and 204-986-6222 for non-emergency situations.

Ongoing Investigations

Police located the two suspects near the headquarters, in the 200 block of Graham Avenue, shortly after 11 p.m. Saturday. The incident occurs during the same week as public hearings began in a provincial inquiry into the construction of the police headquarters building.

Frequently Asked Questions

What caused the flooding at the Winnipeg police headquarters?

The flooding was caused by two individuals who opened emergency water supply valves in the upper stairwells of the tower building, according to police.

What charges are the suspects facing?

A 51-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman have been charged with six counts of mischief over $5,000.

Is the Winnipeg police headquarters fully operational?

Uniform operations are not affected, but some working units have been moved, and the station duty office at 245 Smith St. Is closed for in-person reporting.

As crews continue to assess and repair the damage, what steps do you think can be taken to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future?