Man convicted of killing retired CBC producer now wanted for downtown break-and-enter

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A man wanted for a break-and-enter downtown has an extensive criminal history – including a random attack that killed a senior citizen – and was only released from prison in the spring.

Toronto Police say the 47-year-old, who was convicted of manslaughter for the 2023 death of former CBC journalist Douglas Michael Finlay, is suspected of breaking into a private property near Dundas St. W. and McCaul St., west of university Ave., on Sept. 8.

“It is reported that the suspect entered private property and broke into a locker secured with a combination lock,” police alleged in statement released Friday. “The suspect stole personal property from the locker, including bank cards.”

Police claim the stolen bank cards were then used to make purchases.

Convicted killer Robert Cropeardwolf named as suspect

Investigators subsequently identified Robert Cropeardwolf as a suspect.

The Toronto resident is wanted for break-and-enter commit place other than a dwelling, breach of probation, and two counts of possessing/using credit card obtained by offence.

Cropeardwolf’s lengthy criminal past most recently saw him imprisoned for killing Finlay.

The retired CBC producer was walking along a sidewalk on Danforth Ave., near Jones Ave., when he was shoved from behind by a stranger for no reason on Jan. 24, 2023.

The 73-year-old hit the ground hard and suffered serious injuries, including a collapsed lung. He died in hospital on Jan. 31, 2023.

Homicide investigators identified Cropeardwolf as a suspect in the random attack a few days later and released his photo to the public.

But the wanted man remained on the run until he surrendered to police on Feb. 28, 2023.

Pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2024

Cropeardwolf later pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to three years behind bars on Sept. 27, 2024. But that sentence was dropped to 20 months after time served was factored in.

The judge also ordered him to serve three years of probation upon his release.

Cropeardwolf would have been due to be released from custody in May – barely three years after he turned himself into cops for killing Finlay.

Police have once again released images of Cropeardwolf hoping the public can help track him down.

He’s described as 5-foot-11, with a thin build and brown eyes. And he is clean shaven.

Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is urged to call police at 416-808-5200 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

cdoucette@postmedia.com

@sundoucette

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