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A convicted sex offender from Winnipeg police has warned the public twice as he was again charged last year with a violent sex offense against a city woman.

Early Friday morning, the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) said officers were called to a burglary and assault at an apartment building on the University of Manitoba’s south campus, where a woman reported a man had entered the her room while she was sleeping and physically assaulted her.

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Police said they were able to fight off the suspect, calling for help, which alerted campus security and law enforcement. She was treated for her injuries and was in stable condition.

Later that day, WPS held a press conference during which they released initial images of the suspect and said the sex crimes unit was taking over the investigation.

At around 11pm on Friday, police said they were alerted to someone matching the description outside a restaurant just a few kilometers from where the alleged incident took place.

The man, identified as Garry Edwards Jr., was arrested and investigators charged him with three counts of breaking and entering with intent to a dwelling — one count each for trespassing into the Arthur V student residence. Mauro, a secure area in the building and then the woman’s dorm room.

Garry Edwards Jr., 46, is also charged with sexual assault, robbery and overcoming resistance by attempting to suffocate, suffocate or strangle another person.

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Warnings from the past

As he confirmed Winnipeg Free PressEdwards is a registered sex offender for whom authorities have issued two public warnings since his initial release from prison last year.

The first warning came in November 2023, when Edwards was paroled after serving a 12-year sentence at Stony Mountain Institution for a pair of 2013 convictions for violent sexual assaults that occurred within an hour on April 12, 2012 .

In the first attack, Edwards – also known as Brendin Edwards, Gary Tait, Garry Crasswell and Garry Crassweller – picked up a 21-year-old woman at random from the street, choked her to near unconsciousness and threatened to stab if he doesn’t. respect, according notification regarding the sex offender in the province.

“Edwards then dragged the victim to a dark area of ​​a nearby building, robbed and sexually assaulted her.”

About an hour later, Edwards attacked a second woman at random, following her into a secure building, where he robbed and sexually assaulted her with a knife before fleeing in her vehicle.

He was later spotted in the car and arrested.

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“The worst thing that was taken away tonight was the person I was. I loved life. I was happy,” the second survivor wrote in a victim impact statement presented to the court, as reported Winnipeg Free Press. “I no longer have the zest for life or the drive and ambition I once had. I’m not me anymore.”

He was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault with a weapon, two counts of armed robbery, flight while pursued by a peace officer, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and theft over $5,000.

In May, justice and law enforcement officers issued another warning to the community when Edwards was released from Stony Mountain again, this time after serving a sentence for unlawful freedom.

Authorities noted in both notices that although Edwards participated in court-ordered treatment while incarcerated, he was still “a high risk to reoffend in a sexual and/or violent manner.

“All women, both adults and children, are at risk,” he warned.

“She objectively freaked out”

Following Friday’s incident, Global news said the university administration has contacted the campus community via email, telling them that 24-hour security is being added to student residences, and exits and entrances will be routinely checked.

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“The safety and well-being of our university community remains our top priority,” the statement said.

St. Dani McKinnon said in Friday’s press conference that incidents like this at the university “are not something that happens on a regular basis.”

Some of the students interviewed by CityNews of Winnipeg they were “objectively freaked out” but glad to see the university is taking this seriously.

“It was pretty easy for anyone to break into any of the buildings, but yesterday when we came in last night, there was someone checking for phones and keys to make sure you’re a resident,” Zoe Mora said. “So yes, it’s concerning, but it’s nice to see that they’re taking action.”

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