Three Men Facing Multiple Charges After Successful Police SPI Program

Manitoba PostNews

WINNIPEG – The Smart Policing Initiative or SPI for short, resulted in the arrests of three men, one from Ontario, with multiple drug related offences.

SPI started in 2012 an intelligence-led, evidence-based policing program designed to increase the proactive policing potential through the use of data analysis, focused prevention and deterrence strategies.

During their shifts Monday night into Tuesday morning, officers conducted their proactive patrols assisted by information obtained from the SPI program. This includes being alerted to high-risk areas, vulnerable crime targets or identifying crime trends.

Monday night at 11:00 PM officers on Elgin Avenue spotted a man conduct what appeared to be a drug sale. The man immediately took off and officers gave chase on foot.

Colin Love Groves, a 31-year-old man from Winnipeg was taken into custody. Police found the following items in his possession:

  • Airsoft pistol
  • Approximately 1.31 grams of methamphetamine (street value of about $130)

Groves has been charged with:

  • Possession of Scheduled Substance – Methamphetamine
  • Possession of a Weapon
  • Possession of Firearm Contrary to Prohibition Order (x2)
  • Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized

Then at 12:15 AM Tuesday, police were near Ellice Avenue when they came into contact with a David James Raven, a 21-year-old man from Winnipeg, who had two warrants for his arrest and was in possession of the following items:

  • Approximately 2.7 grams of methamphetamine (street value of about $270)
  • Bear spray
  • Spring-loaded folding knife

Raven has been charged with:

  • Possession of Scheduled Substance – Methamphetamine
  • Possession of a Prohibited Weapon Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized (x2)
  • Possession of a Weapon
  • Fail to Comply with Probation Order (x7)

Around 12:45 AM Monday police conducting an SPI patrol near Larsen Avenue stopped a man on a bicycle committing a violation of the Highway Traffic Act. After a brief talk, the man pushed an officer and took off. Officers quickly caught the man, O’Neal Richard Spalding a 32-year-old man from Scarborough, Ontario. Police found the following items on Spalding:

  • Approximately 2.55 grams of heroin (street value of about $1,400.00)
  • Approximately 3.94 grams of crack cocaine (street value of about $400.00)
  • Approximately 3.95 grams of powder cocaine (street value of about $320.00)
  • Two mobile phones

Spalding was been charged with:

  • Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Heroin
  • Possession of a Scheduled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine (x2)
  • Resist Peace Officer

He was detained in custody.