Community Alert: Major Property Theft Recovery in Arborg Area

Over recent months, Gimli RCMP have been investigating a series of thefts and break-ins affecting businesses and private properties in and around Arborg, including locations in the RM of Armstrong and the RM of Rockwood in Manitoba. That investigation has now led to a significant recovery of suspected stolen property and multiple criminal charges against one individual.

On March 30, 2026, officers executed a court-authorized search warrant at a property in the RM of Rockwood. During the search, police located a large quantity of items linked to several reported thefts and break and enter incidents that occurred between November 2025 and March 2026, as well as other property believed to have been stolen from additional victims who are still being identified.

Official RCMP Details

According to Gimli RCMP, the investigation connected the suspect property to a pattern of crimes that targeted both rural residences and commercial locations in the Arborg area. Items confirmed as recovered include:

• A tractor reported stolen from a private property in the RM of Armstrong on November 28, 2025.
• Fish finders, Live Scope monitors and an insulated monosuit, all marked with the name of a business on Main Street in Arborg, taken during a break and enter on January 23, 2026.
• Seven chainsaws, two blowers and two generators stolen from a business on Ardal Street in Arborg on March 15, 2026.
• A tractor taken from a business on Highway 68 in Arborg on March 14, 2026.
• Toy tractors and related accessories stolen from a business on Highway 68 in Arborg on March 19, 2026.
• A utility trailer, assorted tools, liquor, an air compressor and a rifle stolen from a private property in Arborg on March 22 and 25, 2026.

Police also seized additional tools and various ATV-related accessories that are believed to be stolen but have not yet been matched to specific owners. Gimli RCMP continue their efforts to identify and contact all potential victims connected to these items. For residents and business owners in the region, reviewing recent losses against this description may be helpful alongside localized data such as the Gimli, Manitoba crime statistics and safety trends.

Suspect and Charges

As a result of the investigation and search warrant execution, 30-year-old Jesse Paluk of the RM of Rockwood has been charged with multiple offences, including break and enter, possession of stolen property, and firearms-related violations. The charges laid are:

• Break and enter (three counts).
• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 (five counts).
• Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.
• Improper storage of a firearm.
• Possession of a non-restricted firearm while prohibited.
• Possession of a firearm without a licence (two counts).

Paluk has been remanded in custody while the investigation continues. Gimli RCMP advise that further investigative steps are ongoing and that additional information may be released as it becomes available.

CrimeCanada.ca Safety Perspective

From the perspective of CrimeCanada.ca, this incident highlights how rural and small-town communities in Manitoba can face sustained property crime that impacts both local businesses and private landowners. Coordinated thefts involving equipment, tools and firearms can disrupt livelihoods, increase insurance costs and undermine the sense of security in tight-knit areas. Monitoring patterns through resources such as our Gimli crime statistics and safety data can help residents understand local trends and strengthen prevention measures.

Property owners in similar regions are encouraged to take layered precautions: record serial numbers for high-value items, use lockable storage and quality lighting, consider video surveillance, and report any suspicious activity to police as early as possible. Quick reporting of thefts and unusual behaviour can be critical for investigators to link separate files, recover stolen goods and interrupt ongoing crime series. CrimeCanada.ca remains committed to supporting communities with timely alerts and data-driven context so residents can make informed safety decisions.

Official Source & Community Safety

This safety alert is based on an official release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). CrimeCanada.ca aggregates and analyzes this data to keep the manitoba community informed, aware, and safe. We are an independent safety data aggregator and not the original creators of the underlying incident report.

Read the full official release here: RCMP Official Statement.