UPDATE: The RCMP has confirmed that the crimes committed by the suspects in Dauphin are connected to the recent theft of $70,000 worth of iPhones from a store in Portage la Prairie.
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On April 17, at approximately 2:30 p.m., RCMP in Dauphin received a call about a theft at a business on Main Street.
It was reported two unknown men stole a number of electronics and then fled the store in a black SUV.
A third man was identified by witnesses and was seen on foot. He was later picked up by the suspects in the SUV.
Officers located the suspect vehicle in Riding Mountain National Park, and with assistance from Yellowhead RCMP completed a traffic stop. All three were arrested without incident.
The dollar value of the items totals approximately $12,000, and investigators are looking into possible connections between these suspects and thefts in other provinces.
The three suspects arrested are Florin Chelu, 34; Remus Ion, 32; and Vasile Mazarche, 49. They are all facing multiple theft charges and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime. They remain in custody at this time.
Officers continue to look for a fourth suspect who is believed to be travelling back to Ontario in a 2011 black Chevy Equinox with Ontario license plate DAVB 271.
If anyone has information on this individual or related to this incident, please call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.
Manitoba RCMP West District Crime Reduction Enforcement Support Team is assisting with the ongoing investigation.