Winnipeg (Rajeev Sharma): Two people have been arrested after a deliberate flooding incident disrupted operations inside Winnipeg Police Service headquarters late Saturday.
Police said the incident occurred around 6:00 p.m. on Feb. 14 at the tower located at 266 Graham Avenue. Investigators allege that two individuals opened multiple emergency water supply valves in upper stairwells of the adjoining building, causing a rapid buildup of water pressure.
Within minutes, water began pouring into stairwells and seeping through ceilings, flooding several workspaces inside police headquarters.
“It happened very quickly. The amount of pressure building up was significant it was like a floodgate opened,” said Const. Dani McKinnon, public information officer for the Winnipeg Police Service, on Sunday.
Just after 11:00 p.m., officers located and arrested a 51-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman in the 200 block of Graham Avenue. The suspects have been turned over to the Major Crimes Unit.
Both are facing six counts of mischief over $5,000 and have been released on undertakings. The allegations have not been proven in court.
Police have not disclosed how the suspects accessed the building or the full extent of the damage. Authorities also could not confirm which floors were affected or whether staff from the central processing unit had to be relocated.
No injuries were reported.
While uniformed operations remain unaffected, in-person reporting at 245 Smith Street was closed Sunday as crews brought in dehumidifiers and fans to manage water damage.
