Melodie Baptiste holds a photo of her brother Dennis Ray Baptiste, who was found murdered along with Jessie Edward Henderson, 23, in January of 2009. (MARCEL CRETAIN/QMI Agency)

WINNIPEG ­-- A suspect is in custody and charged with two counts of murder in one of Winnipeg's more brutal double-homicides in recent years. And the suspect's arrest has come through teamwork between police in Winnipeg and Calgary.

Kenneth Toby Roulette, 25, was charged Friday in the slayings of Winnipeg residents Dennis Ray Baptiste and Jessie Edward Henderson, both 23, at a residence in the 700-block of Maryland Street in late January 2009.

His arrest for the double-homicide in Winnipeg came after he was initially apprehended in Calgary by local police on March 3 because of an unrelated investigation.

Winnipeg police Const. Jason Michalyshen said Saturday he's "not going to get into those details" surrounding the suspect's arrest in Alberta.

However, he said Winnipeg investigators recently gained information, which they used to issue a Canada-wide warrant for Roulette's arrest, and that led to the suspect being located in Calgary and arrested there March 3.

"Members of the homicide unit here in Winnipeg were notified. He was subsequently brought back to Winnipeg," Michalyshen said.

For Melodie Baptiste, an older sister of Dennis Baptiste, the arrest is welcome relief following more than a year of uncertainty that a suspect would be tracked down.

"It's relief, but it brings back a lot of memories. It's still upsetting to us. He's not here any more. He was close to his family. And even though they caught somebody, he's still not here," Baptiste, 30, said of her sibling, with whom she was close.

Roulette has not been convicted of a crime and is considered innocent unless proven guilty.

Melodie Baptiste noted that her deceased brother has a seven-year-old daughter and five-year-old son, both of whom live on Long Plain First Nation near Portage la Prairie, Man. with his common-law wife Krystal Merrick.

The slaying at the core-area duplex is reported to have been particularly vicious, with both victims suffering numerous stab wounds to their upper and lower body. One of the men, as well, had injuries "consistent to smoke inhalation," said Michalyshen, following a fire at the home after the assault.

The victims succumbed to their injuries in hospital.

The suspect and victims knew each other, police said.

"They have had some sort of relationship in the past," Michalyshen said.

"There is information that would suggest that these individuals are or had been involved in gangs, or have gang associations."

Michalyshen added that the attack was brutal.

No further arrests in the slayings are expected, he said, unless further information emerges.

ross.romaniuk@sunmedia.ca