Policing in Alberta to February 18, 2014

• Pincher Creek RCMP Complaints February 10 -17, 2014
• MVC at Hwy 2/Hwy 688 junction
• Grande PrairieTraffic Stop leads to Drug Seizure
• Gunshot death near Sexsmith
• Domestic dispute reveals Lamont County grow op
• THC candies seized in Wabamun area traffic stop
• St. Albert Traffic Enforcement operation charges senior
• Drugs and firearms seized at Canmore traffic stop
• Single vehicle roll over near Tilley
• Armed robbery and home invasion in Lloydminster

Pincher Creek RCMP Complaints February 10 -17, 2014

Assaults - 1
Break and Enter(residential) - 2
Mischief - 2
Theft over $5000 - 1
Theft under $5000 - 1
Disturbing the Peace - 2
MV Collisions - 3
Liquor Offences - 3
Assist General Pubic - 2
False Alarms - 7
911 calls - 1
Animal Calls - 2
Municipal Bylaw - 1
MVC at Hwy 2/Hwy 688 junction

On February 17, 2014 at approximately 9:50 am, Peace Regional RCMP, Northern Sunrise County Fire Department, and Alberta Health Services EMS were dispatched to a collision south of Peace River on Highway 2 at the intersection of Highway 688. A LaPrairie Group sanding truck collided with a semi tractor trailer unit that was hauling ammonium nitrate. The driver of the semi tractor had to be extracted from his truck by fire fighters. A fire started as a result of the collision that destroyed both trucks prior to being extinguished by fire fighters at the scene. Both drivers are being treated for injuries sustained from the collision. A section of Highway 2 near Highway 688 was closed temporarily with traffic being rerouted around the collision location. No charges have been laid at this time. Crews worked into the night removing the vehicles and payload of the tractor trailer unit. Police remind motorists to slow down and use caution when traveling through the area.

Grande PrairieTraffic Stop leads to Drug Seizure

On Tuesday February 11, 2014 at approximately 12:20 p.m. a member of Grande Prairie's Integrated Traffic Unit (ITU) was on Highway 43 East of Grande Prairie conducting speed enforcement when a vehicle traveling east bound passed the patrol vehicle at 133 km/h on the 110 km/h highway.

The ITU member conducted a routine traffic stop which lead to a criminal code investigation. The investigation resulted in the arrest of the vehicle's occupants and a search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of 459 grams of cannabis marihuana with an approximate street value of $6,885.00.

Jareth Gregory BELLAND 22 years old of Red Earth Creek has been charged with:
Possession for the purpose of trafficking
Possession of property obtained by crime
and Breach of Recognizance X 3.

Kayla Sound 21 years old from Grande Prairie has been charged with:
Possession for the purpose of trafficking.

The have both been released and will make their next appearance in Grande Prairie Provincial Court on February 26, 2014.

Gunshot death near Sexsmith 

An autopsy conducted yesterday has revealed that Brennan James Comis, age 25, died as a result of a gunshot wound. His body was located near a well site on Feb. 12, 2014.

Grande Prairie RCMP and the RCMP Major Crimes Unit continue to investigate.

Domestic dispute reveals Lamont County grow op

Shortly after 1:30 pm on Sunday, February 16, 2014 Vegreville RCMP received a complaint of a domestic dispute between a common-law couple who are rural residents of Lamont County.

Upon investigating these allegations a 44 year old male was located near his home West of Mundare, Alberta. Upon stopping his vehicle and arresting the male officers found 92 grams of marihuana located inside the car. Further investigation revealed there may be a marihuana grow operation on the couple's family farm.

RCMP members from both Vegreville and Two Hills detachments executed a search warrant in the early morning hours of Monday, February 17, 2014. Upon searching the property the officers discovered a sophisticated marihuana growing operation in the back room of a barn on the property. The operation utilized an electrical and hydroponic system capable of producing numerous plants effectively. 

 
Cst Curtis HARSULLA of the Vegreville Detachment says, " When officers searched the location, everything needed to grow a successful crop was found. From seeds to fertilizer as well as watering and electrical systems the suspects were prepared to continue growing marihuana. It is believed that the dismantling of this operation will put a significant damper on the drug trade in the area."

All items of evidence were seized which included nearly a garbage bag quantity of harvested marihuana leaves, 50 seedling plants and growing supplies. The 44 year old man and his 44 year old common-law wife face numerous charges which include producing and possessing the controlled substance. Both will appear in Vegreville Provincial Court on these charges in the near future.

Their names have not been released as charges have not been formally sworn.

THC candies seized in Wabamun area traffic stop

Twenty-four-year old Donald Cook of Edmonton is facing charges for possession with intent to traffic after a routine traffic stop January 11, 2014 on Highway 16 near Wabamun.

THC candies

Members of the Capital West Integrated Traffic Unit (ITU) stopped an eastbound vehicle for a traffic violation. The investigating officer detected a strong odor of marihuana coming from the interior. Further investigation had resulted in the observation of five bags (238 grams each) of raw marihuana. The person in possession of the raw marihuana had a Health Canada permit and no further action was taken. * That’s potentially 25,000 joints kept off the streets. Officers also seized 574 grams of an unidentified substance, later identified as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) candies.

* corrected for accuracy 140218

Candies made from THC are a drug variant new to the Edmonton area. Chemical solvents are used to extract THC oil and resin from organic marihuana. The THC extracts are then synthesized into candies. Generally these chemical extracts are more potent than typical organic marihuana.

“Consumers have no way of knowing the percentage of THC or the potency of these candies," says Sgt. Lorne Adamitz, a drug expert with the RCMP. “Candies are created to attract a broader customer base, which includes youth, but attractive, brightly-coloured candy brings in a whole new set of risk factors for the exposure of children and toddlers to marihuana.”

There have already been documented cases of children being taken to emergency rooms after ingesting substances laced with drugs.

“Preventing drug trafficking is a very satisfying aspect of our work,” says S/Sgt. Jamie Johnston of Alberta RCMP Traffic Services. "Unfortunately with the increasing commercialization of marijuana as a response to its legalization in some areas of the U.S., it is likely that we will see more of these types of drugs making their way to our streets."

The accused admitted purchasing the substance in Vancouver. Cook will appear at the Stony Plain Provincial Court on April 26, 2014.

ST Albert Traffic Enforcement operation charges senior

On Friday, February 14, 2014, St. Albert RCMP Traffic Services were conducting a series of Traffic Enforcement Operations at various locations in St. Albert. At approximately 12:50 p.m., RCMP attempted tp stop a motorist for not signally while turning at the intersection of Sir Winston Churchill Avenue and Grandin Road in St. Albert, Alberta. As the uniformed RCMP officer walked towards the stopped vehicle to investigate, the driver drove off to the end of Tache Avenue, dropped off a male passenger and then parked in the parking lot located on the west side of Tache Avenue.

The 57 year old female motorist, a resident of St. Albert, Alberta was charged with 3 traffic violations for:

52(1)(a) Traffic Safety Act (TSA) - driving an unregistered motor vehicle
51(a) TSA - operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver's license
24 Use of Highway and Rules of the Road Regulations - Failing to signal for a turn

During the traffic stop investigation, a 59 year old male, who had been the passenger of the vehicle, returned to the scene. The male was eventually arrested for interfering with the police investigation. Criminal charges against this St. Albert resident may be laid pending a health evaluation.

Operating vehicles without registration or a valid driver's licences is concerning as coverage in the case of a collision with another vehicle or a person may be questionable. The investigation is continuing to determine if the driver had valid vehicle insurance at the time of this incident.

Drugs and firearms seized at Canmore traffic stop

On February 14th, 2014, at approximately 1:05 a.m., Canmore RCMP observed a black Honda Civic driving erratically on the Trans-Canada Highway just east of the Town of Canmore. Police stopped the vehicle, and found that the driver did not have a valid driver’s licence. Upon speaking with the driver and his passenger, the driver admitted to having, and produced a small amount of marijuana. The driver and passenger were arrested without incident.

A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered approximately 20 pounds of Cannabis Marihuana, 5 grams of cocaine, two long barreled firearms, one handgun, an extendable baton, ammunition and loaded magazines for firearms, assorted edged weapons, and cash.

22 year old Stephen McManus and 18 year old Vanessa Flavin both of Kelowna, BC have been charged with offences under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act in relation to the drugs located and the Criminal Code in relation to the firearms located.

Single vehicle roll over near Tilley

At approximately 3:00 p.m. on February 15th, 2014, Brooks RCMP responded to a single vehicle roll over on Highway 1, 10 km east of Tilley. An eastbound SUV lost control and overturned in the center median. All four occupants were able to walk away without injury as they were all wearing their seatbelts. Tilley and Brooks Fire as well as EMS attended the scene. The vehicle suffered extensive damage. Speed and alcohol are not believed to be factors in the collision.

Armed robbery and home invasion in Lloydminster

On the evening of January 30, 2014 the Lloydminster Municipal RCMP responded to a complaint of a home invasion and robbery. 2 individuals wearing masks forced their way into the apartment of the Victim and forced the Victim to give them cash as well as the keys to the Victim's vehicle. The suspects then left the apartment with the Victim's vehicle. The suspects were armed at the time. No one was injured during the incident. The Victim's vehicle has since been recovered. Police believe this was not a random act and that the victim was targeted.

Anyone with information regarding this or any other crime, is asked to contact the Lloydminster RCMP at (306) 825‐6350, your nearest police service or any local RCMP detachment. If you wish to remain anonymous you may call Crime Stoppers at 1‐800‐222‐TIPS (8477), via your cell phone text messaging SaskTel Mobility at *8477, text TIP206 plus your message to CRIMES (274637) or you can submit a tip online at www.crimestoppers.ab.ca . If your information leads to an arrest or a case being cleared, you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.00.