DRUG ADDICTS BLAMED FOR GROWING ROBBERY TREND

Desperate drug addicts are behind a growing robbery trend in Winnipeg in
which brazen thieves, some high on cocaine, repeatedly rob gas bars and
convenience stores to feed their habits.

Police say what's even more worrying is that many of the robberies are
happening in the suburbs, particularly in St. Boniface, East Kildonan, St.
Vital and Transcona.

"We know that 65 per cent of people involved in crimes like this are on
drugs or fueling a drug habit," Winnipeg police spokesman Const. Bob
Johnson said.

"There is a potential for violence, but that's why we encourage people to
cooperate with the robber's demands so they reduce the chance of becoming a
victim."

What's prompting the increase in gas bar and similar robberies is the sharp
rise of powdered and crack cocaine in Winnipeg, police say.

Last year, police seized 20.8 kilos of cocaine and 3.1 kilos of crack
cocaine, up from 1.65 kilos of cocaine and 1.1 kilos of crack cocaine in
2000. The drugs are highly addictive, and many users have to resort to
crime once they've lost their savings and job. In the past year, several
people have been charged with robbing more than a dozen food stores and gas
bars in a short period of time.

According to 2001 police statistics released yesterday, the areas which
have seen the biggest jump in robberies are suburban areas. For example,
District 5 (St. Boniface and St.Vital) saw a 56 per cent jump in robberies
from the year before while District 4 (East Kildonan and Transcona) saw a
27 per cent jump.

Across the city, the 2001 police annual statistical report shows robbery is
down overall by one per cent. As well, violent crime across the city is
down three per cent in 2001 from 2000.