Policing in Alberta to December 19, 2013

RCMP press release

• Student charged after incident at Broxton Park School 
• Father Jan Catholic Elementary School donates to Zebra Child Protection Centre 
• SUV driver survives collision with mature moose - A story to tell 
• Composite drawing of Airdrie kidnapping and robbery suspect released 
• RCMP investigating Fatal Collision on Hwy 43 at Range Road 54 
• Concerned citizens contact Leduc RCMP regarding train fire 
• Edmonton man charged with theft of copper wire 
• Grand Cache man sentenced to 4 years for Leduc Break and Enter 
• High volume of traffic collisions in Leduc area 
• Arson charges laid in September Strathmore incident

Student charged after incident at Broxton Park School

At approximately 10:30 am on December 17th, RCMP responded to a complaint of a 12 year-old student in possession of an edged weapon (knife) at a Spruce Grove Elementary school .

Knife seized from student

Police responded immediately; the youth relinquished the knife and was taken into custody. He is being charged with possession of weapon dangerous to the public, and mischief under $5000.

Neither a "lock-down" nor a "hold and secure" were implemented, due to the very short time span over which this incident transpired. Of note, there were not any other students in the room, and there was staff supervising the accused the entire time. There was no disruption to school operations, and protocols were followed to ensure the safety of security of all involved.

The youth's name will not be released, as per the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

It is anticipated the court date will be in early January, in Stony Plain Provincial Court.

Father Jan Catholic Elementary School donates to Zebra Child Protection Centre

St. Albert RCMP and Edmonton Police Service, along with a Zebra, made a special visit to the Father Jan Elementary School in St. Albert, Alberta today. Grade 1 classes at Father Jan Elementary School donated more than 30 backpacks filled with toiletries, clothes and child-friendly supplies to the Edmonton Zebra Child Protection Centre. The Grade 1 students wanted to find a way to help other children and these backpacks will fill that need.

Photo: EPS officers,Sgt. Gary Willits and Cst. Barry Fairhurst., the Zebra from the Zebra Child Protection Centre, and Cpl. Laurel Kading, Cst. Geoff McKay from the St. Albert RCMP Detachment surrounded by backpacks and gifts for the Zebra Centre.

“Our spiritual theme this year is, ‘Casting our nets of peace, we are anchors of hope.’ This is our way of providing hope to some people right here in our community who are in very difficult situations,” says Ecole Father Jan teacher Monique Auray. “The students were very eager to help out.”

"For Zebra, these backpacks are essential for children and youth who come into the Centre. Some kids may not be able to go home that night, and so they need the basics – toothpaste, pajamas, a jacket. Others need comfort and distraction – a fun t-shirt, a teddy bear. It’s important for the children and youth who are victims of abuse and family violence to know that there are people who care about them", says Det. Nicole Chapdelaine, who works in the Zebra centre.

The Zebra Child Protection Centre supports children who have experienced abuse, together with their non-offending family members, through the justice system. It’s a collaboration of police officers, social workers and volunteer child advocates, who work together with crown prosecutors, medical and mental health professionals. The multi-disciplinary team is dedicated to protecting children from further trauma, providing nurturing and healing, and bringing criminals who abuse children to justice. Zebra is the first multi-disciplined child advocacy centre in Canada.

Unfortunately the numbers of children and youth who come through its doors has grown significantly. In 2012 a total of 1,083 kids and youth were assisted by the Zebra centre. By the end of September of this year, the Zebra centre assisted 1,574 children and youth.

“We believe, however, that the strength of our community response to child abuse, exemplified by the generosity of Ecole Father Jan Grade 1 students, offers hope as we work together to promote justice and healing,” says Kimberly Clark, director of Zebra.

SUV driver survives collision with mature moose - A story to tell

On December 17, 2013 at approximately 6:00 am, North Star resident, Kevin McFadgen was commuting to work to Peace River on Highway 35 when, at approximately 20 kilometres south of Manning, a northbound semi-trailer passed his vehicle creating a whiteout situation. Mr. McFadgen immediately slowed his vehicle however, at the last minute; he observed a moose in his lane.

Without time to avoid a collision with this large animal, Mr. McFadgen had presence of mind to duck down below the dash and into the front passenger seat as his vehicle struck the mature moose. As a result of the collision, the animal was flipped up onto the vehicle hood and roof thereby peeling the roof back.

Mr. McFadgen managed to extricate himself from the vehicle and call for assistance. EMS attended and transported Mr. McFadgen to a local Hospital with only minor injuries. The moose did not survive the collision and was removed from the highway by the local maintenance contractor.

"Judging by the extent of the damage seen on the vehicle, this is a perfect example of a driver who was paying attention to the road therefore able to quickly respond", says Sgt. Thomas Howell, Detachment Commander of the RCMP Manning detachment. "Without Mr. McFadgen quick action and thinking, he may not be here today to tell this story."

Composite drawing of Airdrie kidnapping and robbery suspect released

On November 6, 2013, at approximately 10:09 p.m, Airdrie RCMP were dispatched to the No Frills Grocery Store at 1050 Yankee Valley Boulevard SE, Airdrie, Alberta for a complaint of a kidnapping, robbery, break and enter and theft over $5000.00. Airdrie RCMP attended the scene, assisted by the RCMP's Police Dog Unit and Forensic Identification Section. The investigation has been ongoing since the initial report, however no suspects have been identified.

Composite drawing of suspect in Airdrie robbery and kidnapping

The suspect was identified as:

• Male
• 5'6" to 5'8"
• Dark skin
• Dark Brown mustache
• Wearing a Black hooded Sweatshirt, jeans, Black shoes with White laces
• Black leather gloves
• Black backpack
• Sunglasses

Security camera image of suspect

After closing the store, a female employee departed the business and was apprehended by two unknown males while entering her personal vehicle. The suspect males then confined and transported her inside her vehicle. They took her to a discrete location for approximately 30 minutes where they made verbal threats and further demands. No weapon was seen by the victim. The suspects returned to enter the store and stole a large sum of money. The victim was not physically harmed during this incident.

Airdrie RCMP is asking the public to provide any information that may lead to the identity of this suspect. Please contact the Airdrie RCMP at 403-945-7200 if you can provide any information or Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 222-8477.

RCMP investigating Fatal Collision on Hwy 43 at Range Road 54

The Grande Prairie RCMP are investigating a fatal motor vehicle collision that occurred early this morning north east of Grande Prairie on Highway 43.

This morning at approximately 7 a.m. Grande Prairie RCMP, along with other emergency responders were called to a collision on Highway 43 at the intersection of Range Road 54. A male was pronounced dead at the scene. The initial investigation indicates that a north bound pick-up truck crossed into the path of a eastbound vacuum truck. The driver of the pick up truck was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the vacuum truck appears to have sustained only minor injuries.

The exact cause of the collision is still under investigation. No other information is being released regarding the deceased to allow police to notify next of kin.

Traffic was diverted around the collision at the time of the incident but has since returned to normal.

Concerned citizens contact Leduc RCMP regarding train fire
LEDUC RCMP received a 911 transfer call with regards to a south bound train near highway 2A that appeared to have a 12 foot flame coming from one of the cars. LEDUC RCMP immediately responded to the call and noted that the flame was coming from a smoke stack on the 3rd car. The Leduc RCMP contacted CP Rail who advised that there were aware of this and that it was normal for this to happen and the engine can sometimes emit flames through the exhaust/smoke stack.

The Leduc RCMP would like to thank the caller as this quick response could have averted a potential fire. Luckily this time it was just a concentrated exhaust emission.

Edmonton man charged with theft of copper wire

On July 17th, 2013, at approximately 10:03 A.M., The Leduc RCMP were notified of a theft of copper wire from a residential area in Leduc County. It was reported that two rolls of wire worth $3000 to $5000 were taken sometime the night previous from a residence on Range Road 224 in Leduc County. After an in-depth investigation by the Leduc Rural RCMP, and assisted by the Leduc Municipal RCMP, the Suspect was linked to the theft by DNA collected at the scene.

52 year old Bert Harry Zwicker of Edmonton Alberta was charged with the theft of this wire and will appear in Leduc Provincial Court on December 19th, 2013.

Updates to follow.

Grand Cache man sentenced to 4 years for Leduc Break and Enter

On April 5th 2013 Leduc RCMP responded quickly to a call of a suspicious male that was reported looking into windows of homes and were able to locate this person running from a home that he just broke into. Investigation revealed that the subject was travelling through the Leduc area and attempted to take advantage of this community, which is why residents are reminded to lock your vehicles and buildings when not at home !!

45 year old Lonnie Ernest St. Louis, of Grand Cache Alberta, was arrested and charged with Break & Enter to a Residence and pleaded guilty to the charge in Leduc Provincial Court on September 23rd, 2013. St. Louis was recently sentenced to 4 years in Custody.

High volume of traffic collisions in Leduc area

Members of the Leduc Integrated Traffic Services Unit and the Leduc Rural and Municipal RCMP have been responding to a high volume of traffic collisions for the month of December. During the month of December, poor winter driving conditions mixed with drivers who are adjusting to winter driving on the QEII, as well as in the City and County of Leduc sometimes lose control of their vehicle, which may result in a collision. Leduc RCMP, Leduc Integrated Traffic Services Unit and Leduc Peace officers have attended to more than 144 calls for service for traffic collisions so far this month. Leduc RCMP are pleased to report that the numbers are down from the same period last year, of 162 calls. More details to be released in the New Year.

The Leduc RCMP would like to advise motorists to drive with extreme care and caution while traveling during the winter months as the road conditions are very unpredictable and can change very quickly.

During the month of December there are a higher volume of motorists as they are in a hurry to finish off their Christmas Shopping before the 25th and then to get Boxing Day specials right into the New Year. Remember to drive defensively… be courteous to other motorists that are in this “Christmas Shopping Mode”, stay safe…. and Have a Merry Christmas !!

Arson charges laid in September Strathmore incident

Strathmore RCMP have charged a Siksika man and rural Strathmore woman with Arson with Disregard for Human Life in relation to a three month investigation into the attempted arson of a rural residence south of Strathmore, Alberta in mid September, 2013.

On September 17th, 2013, the Rural Fire Department, Strathmore RCMP, Fire Investigator and Calgary RCMP Forensic Identification Section attended a rural residence where suspects had attempted to burn down an occupied residence with gasoline and propane tanks in the early morning hours. Occupants of the residence were able to fight the fire until emergency crews attended. The fire was extinguished without significant damage to the residence or any physical injury.

Through a three month long investigation, police were able to gather significant evidence that has resulted in Kimberly Dawn Perry, ne:Elliott, 34 years old, and Keith Jack Red Gun, 48 years old, being charged under Section 433 of the Criminal Code for Arson with Disregard for Human Life. Police believe that this was a targeted attack on the victim's. Perry and Red Gun were arrested, charged and will appear in Calgary Court for Bail Hearings.

RCMP Red Deer City Checkstops net no alchohol related charges

On Saturday December 14th, 2013, Red Deer City RCMP and Alberta Sheriffs conducted several checkstops at various locations throughout Red Deer. The checkstops aimed at apprehending impaired drivers throughout the city of Red Deer. As a result of these checkstops over 600 vehicles were checked and the following infractions were found:

• 5 - 24 hour drugs suspensions
• 2 - Operate a Motor Vehicle without Insurance
• 2 - Graduated License Suspensions (AKA: Zero tolerance)
• 9 Vehicles were towed

Red Deer City RCMP would like to point out that in the 600 vehicles that were checked, no impaired drivers by alcohol were found.

RCMP would like to commend the public for adhering to previous messages and finding safe rides to and from their destinations when drinking.

Red Deer RCMP would like to remind the public that random checkstops will be increased in the city of Red Deer throughout the holiday season.