Rival sex club owner’s husband charged in attempted bombing

WINNIPEG — A Winnipeg bathhouse owner says he was shocked to learn the man accused of planting a pipe bomb outside his business is married to the owner of a competing sex and lifestyle club.

Christopher Gregoire, who recently took ownership of AQ Sauna, said a live pipe bomb was found by a “heroic patron” outside the club, formerly known as Aquarius Bath House, in the early morning hours of Sept. 11.

On Thursday, the Winnipeg Police Service announced Erik Lymen Olson, 59, was facing multiple charges in the incident. Olson is the husband of Adonis Men’s Spa owner Doug Pomanski.

“This is wild,” Gregoire said after learning of the charges.

Olson is accused of placing an “incendiary device” along the exterior wall of the Notre Dame business at about 2:30 a.m., police said Thursday.

“It was lit and it was about to blow and (the patron) threw it in the water and he put it out,” said Gregoire, 45.

The suspect fled to a waiting vehicle, police said.

“You’ve got to be sick in the head to be doing this kind of stuff,” Gregoire said.

Members of the police bomb unit and tactical support unit took the improvised device to a “secure location” and disposed of it.

Gregoire said there were 17 people in the building that day. No one was hurt, police said.

A video provided by Gregoire and viewed by the Winnipeg Free Press showed a police robot removing the bomb. A photo of the explosive device in a puddle was also shared. The pipe bomb appears to be wrapped in plastic bags, which Gregoire said contained gasoline.

Gregoire and Olson know each other through the business community, police said, stressing investigators don’t believe the incident is extortion related.

The owner of Adonis Men’s Spa said police searched his Main Street bathhouse the following day and the charges came as a surprise.

“The owner, management and staff of Adonis Spa have absolutely nothing to do with what may have occurred in the early hours of Sept. 11, at 457 Notre Dame Ave.,” said Pomanski. “We had no knowledge of anything, we weren’t involved in anything, and actually, I have been questioned and was immediately released by the police.”

Pomanski said Olson, his husband of 26 years, is innocent.

“We live in a society where the justice system is: innocent until proven guilty. So before we start playing judge and jury, it’s before the courts and I have no other comment,” he said.

It wasn’t the first time the club had been targeted — Gregoire said he’s been worried about the safety of staff and patrons after the business was firebombed in late July.

Police confirmed Thursday the major crimes unit is also investigating a July 31 incident but provided no further information. No arrests have been made.

“Staff are definitely scared,” said Gregoire, who believes the September and July incidents are connected. “I’m there more often now. I’m not supposed to be living in the business, but I find myself having to stay there, sleep there.

“That way, if there’s any incidents, they can just come and get me right away.”

Gregoire said he’s regularly questioning people who cut through the AQ Sauna parking lot.

“It just feels like somebody is trying to kill me,” he said. “And as far as I’m concerned, anybody who walks through that parking lot with a hoodie is an enemy.”

Olson was arrested on Sept. 12, the day after the pipe bomb was found, the WPS said.

He is charged with placing an incendiary device, making or possessing any explosive substance to endanger life or cause serious damage to property, and possession of incendiary material.

Police searched Olson’s residence and seized a laptop, incendiary chemicals and a 2025 Toyota Tacoma used in the offence, police said.

He remains in custody.

» Winnipeg Free Press