Winnipeg, MB – A 30-year-old man is in police custody after an unprovoked daytime assault in downtown Winnipeg that left a woman shaken but not seriously injured.
According to the Winnipeg Police Service, officers were patrolling westbound on Portage Avenue near Donald Street at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 4, when they observed a man physically assaulting a woman in the 300 block of Portage Avenue. Police say the suspect knocked the woman to the ground during the attack.
Officers immediately intervened to stop the assault and attempted to take the suspect into custody. Police said the man was uncooperative, prompting one officer to deploy a conducted energy weapon to safely restrain him. The suspect was then arrested at the scene.
The victim, a woman in her 30s, sustained minor injuries and did not require medical treatment, according to police. Investigators determined that the suspect and the victim did not know each other and that the assault appeared to be random and unprovoked.
Police identified the suspect as Jacob George, 31, who has been charged with assault. He remains in police custody pending further disposition.
The incident occurred in a busy downtown corridor during daytime hours, raising renewed concerns about public safety in Winnipeg’s core. Police continue to encourage residents and visitors to remain aware of their surroundings and to report suspicious or violent behavior immediately.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has additional information is urged to contact the Winnipeg Police Service or submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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