Man accused in fires at Winnipeg restaurants, constituency offices faces new arson charges

A man who was arrested last month after a string of arsons and break-ins at locations across Winnipeg — including the constituency offices of two Manitoba cabinet ministers and multiple restaurants — is facing several new arson charges.

Jesse Wheatland, 35, is believed to be connected with three more suspicious fires between August and November, police said in a Thursday news release.

They allege Wheatland was involved in an Aug. 19 fire reported in the 100 block of Disraeli Freeway, just off Main Street, a Nov. 2 fire in the 900 block of Corydon Avenue, near Stafford Street, and a Nov. 3 fire in the 1000 block of Nairn Avenue, west of Panet Road.

Investigators also executed search warrants at a home on St. Mary’s Road and a Higgins Avenue storage unit, where they seized evidence, police said.

Wheatland was re-arrested at Milner Ridge Correctional Centre on Tuesday and charged with three counts of arson, two counts of possessing incendiary material and two counts of intimidation.

He was initially arrested on Nov. 18 and charged with 22 offences related to arson, break-ins and damage at 11 different locations between June 11 and Nov. 18.

Those included fires at the constituency offices of Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine and Homelessness and Addictions Minister Bernadette Smith.

He was also charged at that point with offences at several businesses in the Exchange District and downtown areas, including Commonwealth Kitchen & Bar, Johnny G's, the Palomino Club, Boujee Restaurant, La Roca and Tipsy Cow.