Portage la Prairie RCMP arrest suspect in convenience store theft

June 16, 2026 - Portage la Prairie, Manitoba
From: Manitoba RCMP

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On June 14, at approximately 1:45 p.m., RCMP responded to a report of disturbance at a convenience store on the 700-block of Saskatchewan Avenue East in Portage la Prairie.

RCMP learned a shirtless male had entered the store, grabbed a $4 beverage, then didn’t pay for it. When the store clerk asked him to pay, the suspect became aggressive, yelled and tried to steal the clerk’s neck chain. The suspect then exited the store, then threw the open drink bottle at the window and continued to make threatening gestures before leaving the scene.

Minutes later, officers located the suspect nearby and arrested him. About an hour later, officers were placing the suspect inside a jail cell at the detachment when the suspect spat at one of the officers.

Darren Demeria, 38, of Dauphin is charged with:

• Robbery;
• Assault on a police officer; and
• Mischief under $5,000.

He remains in custody.