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Thursday, March 20, 2014

Policing in Alberta to March 20, 2014


  • Calgary woman wanted on outstanding warrants
  • QEII Travel Advisory Update (between Didsbury and Red Deer)
  • Three more people charged in connection with damaged headstones in Lethbridge
  • Identity theft family faces multiple charges
  • Thefts from work site utility trailers in Blackfalds
  • Suspicious fire in Lloydminster
  • Drug bust in Fort McMurray
  • Cops chasing cops
  • Vulcan man facing drug charges after methamphetamine seized from vehicle
  • LRPS now on Facebook
  • LRPS adds Crime Map to website
  • Free AMA/LRPS document shredding event aimed at identity fraud
  • Free CPS/ERA event in Calgary to destroy unwanted data storage devices
  • Fraudsters targeting Calgarians of South Asian descent
  • Serious Injury Motor Vehicle Collision on Main Street in Airdrie
  • Mischief to AG Society building in Two Hills
  • Public assistance sought to identify Red Deer vacuum cleaner thieves
  • ASIRT seeks further assistance in Calgary officer-involved shooting
  • Theft of rims and tires from Hinton auto dealership
  • Blackfalds man faces multiple charges
  • Church in Lloydminster vandalized
  • Calgary teacher charged with sexual assault
Calgary woman wanted on outstanding warrants

The Calgary Police Service is seeking public assistance in locating a woman wanted on several outstanding warrants. Cassandra Ruby ST. ONGE, 22, is wanted in connection with vehicle theft and stolen property offences.

Wanted: Cassandra St. Onge

ST. ONGE, who is of no-fixed-address in Calgary, is Caucasian, 5’4” tall and 119 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes and has a noticeable scar beneath her right eye.

The charges against ST. ONGE include possession of stolen property over $5,000, possession of stolen property under $5,000, theft of a motor vehicle and failure to attend court, among others.

Anyone with information regarding ST. ONGE’s whereabouts is asked to call the Calgary Police Service at 403-266-1234 or Crime Stoppers anonymously using any of the following methods:
TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TYPE: tttTIPS.com
TEXT: tttTIPS to 274637

QEII Travel Advisory Update (between Didsbury and Red Deer)

Update issued at 6:05 pm March 20, 2014

The earlier travel advisory issued by police (see below) has been lifted.

Motorists are still urged to use caution as some area roads are partly ice covered.

With regard to the QEII Highway, several additional collisions have been reported between Innisfail and Lacombe. Icy patches are present specifically along bridge decks, on/off ramps and underpasses.

Please drive accordingly.
Update issued at 2:25 pm March 20, 2014

Further to a previous media release, RCMP and Alberta Sheriffs are reminding motorists to use caution while travelling on the QEII Highway between Didsbury and Red Deer. Blowing snow has led to reduced visibility and had earlier led to several collisions which caused delays on the QEII Highway bear Bowden.

One specific collision which caused delays along the QEII occurred when a van struck a parked ambulance at an unrelated collision scene. The three occupants of the van were transported to hospital. Their condition is unknown at this time. The three occupants of the ambulance including two medics were treated for unknown injuries.

Police are reminding motorists to slow down and use caution while passing emergency vehicles.

As of 2:00 pm, there were no reported ongoing collisions or traffic issues along the QEII between Didsbury and Red Deer.

Police are reminding motorists that, although the visibility is clearing, the road surface remains wet with some areas covered in snow. As the temperature falls this evening, icy conditions are to be expected. As it's still winter, motorists are reminded to use caution while travelling along area roads.
Three more people charged in connection with damaged headstones in Lethbridge

Lethbridge Regional Police have laid further charges in connection with nearly $50,000 damage at St. Patrick’s Cemetery after a total of 17 headstones were found broken last week.

An 18-year-old male and 18-year-old female were arrested March 18 and a 19-year-old male was arrested this morning.


A total of six people are now facing mischief charges in connection with the damage.

On March 12, 2014 police responded to a report from a city worker that numerous headstones in St. Patrick’s Cemetery along the 500 block of 6 Avenue North had been broken. The headstones were located in an older part of the cemetery and some date back to the early 1900s. The majority of the damaged headstones were made of white marble, which cemetery officials say is no longer used by headstone manufacturers.

Total damages are estimated at approximately $47,600.
Kayla Angelina Sheck, 18, Alexander Nicholas MacKay, 18, and Tyler Daniel Letkeman, 19, all of Lethbridge are charged with mischief over $5,000.

Police previously charged Jonathan Montega Manitowabie, 23, Jonathan Frederick Mitchell, 31, and Chad Daniel Saxon, 23, with mischief over $5,000.
All are scheduled to appear in court April 9.

Identity theft family faces multiple charges

The Calgary Police Service Economic Crime Unit has charged five family members with over 114 charges related to identity theft.

Between March 2012, and October 2013, more than 15 vehicles were targeted for car prowlings in the cities of Calgary, Banff and Invermere, B.C. Suspects would use personal identification information stolen from parked vehicles and use it to apply online for Home Depot credit cards. These credit cards were then used to purchase Home Depot gift cards at locations in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Airdrie, Okotoks and Cranbrook, B.C. These fraudulently purchased gift cards were then sold through online sites at a discounted price.

The Home Depot Canada asset protection associates brought these incidents to the attention of Calgary police and were vital in bringing this investigation to a successful conclusion.

“At The Home Depot Canada we take retail crime very seriously; it’s not just a crime against a retailer, but the community we live and work in. We thank the police for all their support. Today’s announcement reinforces the message that fraudulent activities have serious consequences,” said Bill Davies, Director Asset Protection, The Home Depot Canada.

To date, investigators believe the same individuals were responsible for 43 incidents involving 19 victims of identity fraud, worth an estimated $56,000.

Jennifer Marie SHEPHERD, 27, of Calgary, is charged with 29 counts of identity fraud, 31 counts of fraud under $5,000, nine counts of laundering proceeds of crime and eight counts of breach of recognizance, for a total of 77 charges. She will next appear in court on Friday, March 21, 2014.

Andrew James SHEPHERD, 32, of Calgary, is charged with three counts of identity fraud, four counts of fraud under $5,000, and four counts of laundering proceeds of crime, for a total of 11 charges. He will next appear in court on Tuesday, March 18, 2014.

Carol Lee SHEPHERD, 52, of Calgary, is charged with four counts of identity fraud, four counts of fraud under $5,000, and two counts of laundering proceeds of crime, for a total of 10 charges. She will next appear in court on Wednesday, March 26, 2014.

Darcy Frederick SHEPHERD, 50, of Calgary, is charged with three counts of identity fraud, four counts of fraud under $5,000, and two counts of laundering proceeds of crime, for a total of nine charges. He will appear in court on Tuesday, April 1, 2014.

Sarah Annie SAVOIE, 30, of Calgary, is charged with seven counts of laundering proceeds of crime. She will next appear in court on Thursday, March 27, 2014.

The Calgary Police Service would like to thank the RCMP Banff and Invermere detachments, as well as The Home Depot Canada for their assistance with this investigation.

Thefts from work site utility trailers in Blackfalds

Between March 15th and March 17th, 2014 a number of thefts from utility trailers occurred in the new areas of Crimson Court and Cyprus Road in Blackfalds, Alberta. Utility trailers are being left over night around residential construction sites. The suspects are cutting locks and security mechanisms off the doors to gain access to the trailers and once inside stealing hand, power and construction tools. 

The value of tools taken in these thefts range from $1,000 to $15,000.

Blackfalds RCMP are asking for the assistance of the public in identifying the person(s) responsible for these theft. If you have any information regarding this, please contact Blackfalds RCMP Detachment at (403)885-3300, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222 TIPS (8477).

Suspicious fire in Lloydminster

The Lloydminster Municipal RCMP along with the Fire Department were dispatched to a fire to a shed located on a property in the 4600 block of 50 Street. There were three individuals sleeping in the shed at the time of the fire. A male received severe burn injuries and was transported to the University of Alberta Hospital burn unit in critical condition. Two females were transported to the local hospital where they were treated for minor burns and later released.

The investigation into the cause of the fire continues. 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.

Drug bust in Fort McMurray

On March 9, 2014 the Wood Buffalo RCMP entered a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act investigation after receiving a call for service at a local hotel. An employee contacted the RCMP indicating that narcotics were found in a room after a request was made for the room to be cleaned. Members attended where a search warrant was executed. As a result of an extensive investigation, hours of surveillance and continuous work by several officers, an Edmonton man has been charged.

On March 17, Troy Wenckowski (21) was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of property obtained by crime, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. Wenckowski remains in custody and is to appear in court on April 22.

A second man has been identified and a warrant for Alex Nugusse (20) also from Edmonton has been issued.

Approximately 660 grams of cocaine and $1300.00 in Canadian Currency has been seized. The investigation continues and the police are asking anyone with information about Nugusse’s whereabouts to contact the Wood Buffalo RCMP.

Cops chasing cops

The RCMP is going west – again. “K” Division runners are on their way to the Baker to Vegas Law Enforcement Challenge Cup relay that takes place from March 22-23, 2014.

Baker to Vegas 2013
Alberta’s provincial police force represents two of only five Canadian teams travelling to the U.S. to participate in a 120-mile gruelling race through Death Valley from Baker, California to Las Vegas, Nevada.

The relay is the largest law enforcement event of its kind in the world, celebrating teamwork, camaraderie, physical fitness and competition. Though American law enforcement agencies comprise the bulk of the racers, teams come from all over the world to challenge each other.

“The biggest highlight of participating has to be the ésprit de corps,” says Cst. Heidi Ravenhill of the Historical Homicide Unit, who is heading into her sixth year of the race. “Rank disappears once we start the ball rolling and it’s great to meet so many members from so many different sections or detachments.”

The mixed team is captained by Cpl. D’Arcy Swabey and Cst. Ray Shelton. The women’s team captain is Cst. Heidi Ravenhill. This race marks the sixth anniversary for the participation of the women’s team. The women’s team placed eighth in the women’s category in 2013 and has a goal to finish in the top six this year.

Leading the first leg for the women’s team is retired Cpl. Jane Spaans, team co-captain from 2009-2012. Cpl. Spaans joined the RCMP in 1975 and retired in 2010. She now works for the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT).

“I have always run the first leg of the race and then hopped into the follow van to support the runners all the way to the finish line,” said Cpl. Spaans of ASIRT. “I am so proud to have had the opportunity be a part of an organization of excellence, and to have been given the opportunity to run with such an extraordinary group of women.”

Vulcan man facing drug charges after methamphetamine seized from vehicle

Lethbridge Regional Police have charged a 50-year-old Vulcan man with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking after nearly 22 grams of methamphetamine was recovered from a vehicle.

On March 18, 2014 at approximately 8:50 a.m. police observed a male sleeping in the driver’s seat of a vehicle parked along the 900 block of 7 Street North. Police approached the vehicle to check on the driver and observed drug paraphernalia on the centre console.

During a subsequent search of the vehicle police seized a small quantity of crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia and a total of 21.8 grams of methamphetamine. The estimated street value of the meth is approximately $3,075.

The male was subsequently arrested and following further investigation charged.

Darcy Ross Reed, 50, of Vulcan, is charged with possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (methamphetamine). Reed was released from custody and was scheduled to make his first court appearance today.

LRPS now on Facebook

Lethbridge Regional Police invite the public to “like” the new LRPS Facebook page.

LRPS will use Facebook to share police news, events, information and activities directly with the public. The goal of the Service’s social media presence is to serve as a source of truth at all times.

The LRPS Facebook page is available at www.facebook.com/LethbridgePoliceService

The page will not be monitored 24/7 and it’s important for the public to understand that we cannot accept crime reports via social media.

In an emergency call 911. For non-emergencies call our complaints line 403-328-4444.

LRPS adds Crime Map to website

Interested in finding out what crimes have occurred in your Lethbridge neighborhood? Check out the LRPS Crime Mapping feature on our website (click here)

Free AMA/LRPS document shredding event aimed at identity fraud

The Alberta Motor Association (AMA) is partnering with the Lethbridge Regional Police Service, RCMP and Lethbridge Mobile Shredding to host a public shredding event this Saturday to combat identity theft and other fraud-related crimes.

Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in Canada. Personal documents such as bank statements, credit card bills, receipts, utility bills, data storage devices* and store receipts can be used to commit fraud. By safely disposing of these documents, individuals can safeguard their personal information and help protect them from becoming a victim of fraud.

*added per LRPS tweet

When: Saturday March 22, 2014, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: AMA Lethbridge Centre, 120 Scenic Drive South

Free CPS/ERA event in Calgary to destroy unwanted data storage devices

All Calgarians are invited to join members of the Calgary Police Service and the Electronic Recycling Association (ERA), at Market Mall, this Saturday, March 22, 2014, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to have their unwanted data storage devices destroyed.

March is Fraud Prevention Month and Calgary police are working together with like-minded partners to help prevent you from becoming a victim of fraud. This year’s focus for fraud prevention has been Change your password…, something we can all do to help protect ourselves. But that isn’t it...destroying our electronic data helps prevent against all sorts of fraud…identity theft, credit and debit card fraud…the list goes on.

Merely deleting or reformatting your device doesn’t necessarily mean your data is gone, but destroying the device does!

ERA is a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing electronic waste through the reuse and recycling of unwanted computers, laptops and related electronic equipment. They recover, refurbish and donate these devices, preventing them from being prematurely disposed of in a landfill or recycled when someone can still use them. And, to ensure your data never gets into the wrong hands, they shred your hard drive or data storage device on the spot.

Drop by and see us Saturday, on the Market Mall parking lot near The Bay. Bring your old electronics and watch the ERA Hard Drive Shredder in action!

Do your part to protect yourself from becoming a victim of fraud!

Fraudsters targeting Calgarians of South Asian descent

Fraudsters, posing as Canada Revenue Agency collections representatives, are still harassing members of Calgary’s South Asian community.

For at least the past month, these impersonators have been calling and pressuring members of our South Asian community, telling them that they owe CRA money, and if they don’t pay up, we’ll come to their home, arrest them and throw them in jail.

The victims are told to buy pre-paid debit cards for large sums of money and, while still on the phone with the fraudster, give them the number of the card and the PIN access number. Once they’ve done this, the fraudster can immediately access the money and it is nearly impossible to get it back.

Sometimes, the fraudsters are threatening victims with deportation if they do not comply.

We don’t do collection enforcement for Canada Revenue Agency, and the CRA doesn't collect this way either.

If someone calls you and threatens you in this way, don’t give them money. Once you do, they keep coming back for more.

If you think the call might really be from the CRA, get in touch with them directly. Their contact information is on their website.

If you start getting calls like this, call us at 403-266-1234 – we’ll see what we can do to help.

If you've given them money report this to the RCMP Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by email at info@antifraudcentre.ca or by calling 1-888-495-8501.

Serious Injury Motor Vehicle Collision on Main Street in Airdrie

Today March 20, 2014 at approximately 11:45am, Airdrie City RCMP, Airdrie Fire Department, and Emergency Services responded to a single vehicle roll over collision on Main Street, at Nose Creek Park, in Airdrie.

The driver and lone occupant of a small passenger car travelling northbound on Main Street lost control, left the roadway, with the vehicle over turning submerged in water.

Airdrie Fire Department members extricated the unconscious driver and Emergency Medical Services transported the driver to a Calgary area hospital with life-threatening injuries. Calgary Fire Department Dive Team attended to ensure there was no other occupant of the vehicle.

An RCMP Collision Reconstructionist has been dispatched to investigate. Airdrie Municipal Enforcement assisted with traffic control.

Main Street between Summerfield Boulevard and Erin Drive are currently closed until RCMP complete their investigation.

Road conditions at time of the collision were poor with ice, snow, and poor visibility. Airdrie RCMP along with an RCMP Collision Analyst continues to investigate.

An update will be provided when new information becomes available.

Mischief to AG Society building in Two Hills

Sometime during or near the week of March 16th, 2014, unknown persons committed mischief to the AG society building behind the Two Hills arena in Geleta Park.

Suspects appear to have had a pickup truck in the park behind the arena. They then backed the truck up against a wall of the AG Society building and accelerated quickly, spinning their tires and causing a significant amount of mud to cover the building. The mud is now dried and frozen to the side of the building making the siding at risk for both cracking and staining. Damage costs could become significant before the mud is able to be cleaned off when warmer weather nears. In the recent years Geleta Park has been targeted for a large number of criminal acts and with summer weather nearing the number of offences is expected to increase. Police actively and regularly make patrols in the area in an attempt to deter vandals. Costs associated to property crime in Geleta Park are passed onto the public through loss of funding or public expenditures. It is in the public interest to assist police in monitoring suspicious activity in the area. The public are reminded that there is a Two Hills by-law that restricts access to the park after 9:00pm.

Two Hills RCMP are seeking the public's help with any information related to the mischief. The public are encouraged to call immediately regarding any suspicious activity, especially in the overnight or early morning hours. If you have any information please contact the Two Hills RCMP Detachment at 780-657-2820 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.tipsubmit.com.

Public assistance sought to identify Red Deer vacuum cleaner thieves

On March 8, 2014 at approximately 5:45 pm, an unknown male and female entered the Target store located in Bower Place Shopping Centre in Red Deer, Alberta. The couple selected two Dyson vacuums and loaded them into a shopping cart. The male then pushed the shopping cart out of the Target without attempting to pay for the vacuums. The approximate value of the two Dyson vacuums is $1200.

Police are asking for assistance in identifying the male and female, seen in the photos below.



Anyone with information that may assist the police in identifying these suspects is asked to call Red Deer City RCMP at 403.343.5575. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1.800.222.8477 or report it online at www.tipsubmit.com.

ASIRT seeks further assistance in Calgary officer-involved shooting

Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) would like to thank the witnesses who have come forward and assisted in the officer-involved shooting that occurred in the southbound lanes of Deerfoot Trail, just south of McKenzie Lake Boulevard SE on February 28, 2014 at approximately 10:15 p.m.

ASIRT is seeking further assistance in identifying the occupants of what is believed to be a silver vehicle shown in the photo below. The occupants of the other vehicles in this photo have come forward and have been of great assistance in this investigation.


If you were one of the occupants in this vehicle or know who the occupants were please contact the Calgary ASIRT office at 403-592-4306.

Theft of rims and tires from Hinton auto dealership

On Monday March 18, 2014, Hinton RCMP responded to a theft complaint at the Hinton Big Rock Chrysler dealership, where four tires and wheels were removed from a 2008 GMC Sierra “all-Terrain” model, parked on the lot’s East side.

The wheels on this vehicle are of special order, particular to that model, and are of a six-bolt wheel nut pattern. The missing tires are white-lettered Open Country light truck models, LT24570R17 in size. A photo of the vehicle is attached.

An older dark-colored Ford Explorer was seen in the area at the time and is believed to have been associated to this incident. Estimated losses are approximately twenty-five hundred dollars.

Anyone with any information on this or any other investigation is asked to contact the Hinton RCMP at 780-865-2455 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

Blackfalds man faces multiple charges

Leduc RCMP Have Charged a 32 Year Old Male with Possession of Cocaine, Drive While Suspended, Breach Recognizance and well as Liquor Offences.

On the 19th of March at 7:35 a RCMP Leduc Integrated Traffic Unit member was on routine patrol at the arrivals meter parking at the Edmonton International Airport when he observed a vehicle with extensive damage. Upon stopping the vehicle police noted an odour of liquor from the driver. A roadside test was administered and the male driver was suspended for 72 hours. The male was also noted to be driving with a suspended Newfoundland driver's licence. He had previously been released on a recognizance and was breaching a number of those conditions. Cocaine was also found to be in his possession.

Bruce Eugene ADAMS, 32 of Blackfalds Alberta was charged with the following:
4(1) Controlled Drugs and Substances Act - Possession of Cocaine
94(2) Traffic Safety Act - Drive While Unauthorized
145(3) Criminal Code - Breach of Recognizance X 2
87.1(2)(a) and 87.1(2)(b) Gaming and Liquor Regulation - Possession of Open Liquor and Possession of Liquor Within Easy Access of an Occupant.

ADAMS first appearance is Thursday March 27th, 09:30, at Leduc Provincial Court.

Church in Lloydminster vandalized

The Lloydminster Municipal RCMP were called to a Mischief, whereby the Seventh Day Adventist Church located at 5401 31 St, Lloydminster, AB, was painted with black spray paint and egged sometime in the evening of March 18th, 2014 and early morning March 19th, 2014. The individual(s) responsible for this wrote derogatory messages, and drew offensive symbols over a vast majority of the South side walls of Church. Additionally, windows and walls had been egged significantly.

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.

Calgary teacher charged with sexual assault

The Calgary Police Service has charged a local teacher in connection with a sexual relationship with a student.

Between April 2011 and February 2014, it is alleged the 36-year-old man was involved in a sexual relationship with a now 17-year-old student at a Calgary private school. The allegations were brought forward to the Service on Wednesday, March 5, 2014, and an investigation was launched by the Child Abuse Unit. On Wednesday, March 19, 2014, the suspect was arrested and charged.

The offender’s name and the name of the private school involved are not being released as the victim in this case is a current student and protecting her identity is a priority.

The teacher has been charged with sexual interference with a child under 16 years, invitation to sexual touching with child under 16 years, sexual contact with a youth by person in authority and sexual assault. The accused made his first court appearance this morning.

Police do not believe there are any other victims in relation to this case.

By definition under the Criminal Code of Canada, a minor cannot legally consent to a sexual relationship with a person who is in a position of trust.

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