Policing in Alberta to March 26, 2014

• LRPS charge southern Alberta man in connection with $10 million investment fraud
• Fatal train vs motor vehicle collision near Nobleford
• Medicine Hat man’s death confirmed to be homicide
• Red Deer RCMP seek public assistance in armed robbery
• Multiple vehicle thefts in Blackfalds/Lacombe area
• Building and gas well shot at near Brooks
• Red Deer RCMP seek public assistance in hit and run
• Leg traps found near Hinton trail area
• Red Deer RCMP seek public assistance to identify mugger
• Collision with tractor trailer results in charges for Beaverlodge schoolbus driver

LRPS charge southern Alberta man in connection with $10 million investment fraud

Lethbridge Regional Police have charged a Diamond City man with fraud in connection with a $10 million plus investment scheme.

In 2012 police received a complaint of an investment scheme and initiated an investigation. Members of the Economic Crimes Section determined that between 2008 and 2011 Nature Zone Environmental Solutions, working in partnership with a southern Alberta man, solicited investments totaling between $10 and $15 million from numerous investors across Canada based on false claims that the man had secured patents in relation to water and soil remediation technology. In November 2011 Nature Zone went bankrupt.

On March 24, 2014 a 56-year-old male attended the police station and was subsequently arrested and charged.

Alan Lloyd Kirby, 56, of Diamond City, is charged with one global count of fraud over $5,000. Kirby was scheduled to appear in court today.

Fatal train vs motor vehicle collision near Nobleford

Today, March 26th at 2:07 p.m. Picture Butte RCMP and Coalhurst Fire Department responded to a call of a Motor Vehicle collision involving a a CP Rail train and a small vehicle near Range Road 230 and Township Road 104. This location is southeast of the town of Nobleford, Alberta. A 73 year old male, was driving a GEO Tracker West on a gravel township Road when it collided with a South bound train. The vehicle, a Geo Tracker was struck in the sideinto the ditch upon impact. The driver sustained life threatening injuries and was pronounced dead by Emergency Medical personnel. The train incurred minor damages and remained on the tracks.

The name of the deceased is being with held pending notification of next of kin. RCMP are still investigating the cause of the collision. Weather, speed and alcohol are not believed to be factors in the collision.

Medicine Hat man’s death confirmed to be homicide

An autopsy completed in Calgary yesterday has confirmed the identity of Chester HUNCHAK, age 67.  His body was located by police at a residence south of Medicine Hat on Saturday, March 22, 2014. HUNCHAK’s death has been confirmed a homicide; however the manner of death is not being disclosed at this time. The identity of the male subject shot by police at the same property has been confirmed as Christopher ARKELL, age 50. He was also the resident of the property.

On Saturday, March 22, 2014, the RCMP was called to a residence just outside the Medicine Hat city limits to support the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS), who were conducting a missing person investigation. During this investigation, MHPS were confronted by an armed male. The RCMP assisted the MHPS and a dialogue was established with the male who has now been identified as Christopher ARKELL. ARKELL had also called the MHPS during that time and threatened to shoot police officers. 

During the course of events, police observed ARKELL pull a person that appeared to be unconscious or deceased, from behind the residence and into their view. This was HUNCHAK, who was already deceased.  Shortly after a further confrontation, ARKELL was shot by police. 

As ASIRT is continuing their investigation into police involvement in this incident, no further details surrounding this investigation will be disclosed at this time. 

Red Deer RCMP seek public assistance in armed robbery

At approximately 2:25 am on March 18, 2014, Red Deer RCMP responded to a complaint of a robbery at the Express 24 at 88 Howarth Street in Red Deer, Alberta. The suspect was wielding a knife and left with an undisclosed amount of cash and several packs of cigarettes. The suspect left via the back alley, but his direction of travel is not known.

The suspect is described as wearing a black superman hat with a black scarf over his face, and a blue shirt over a white long sleeved shirt.

No surveillance photos are available at this time.

Anyone with information that may assist the police in identifying this suspect is asked to call Red Deer 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.

Multiple vehicle thefts in Blackfalds/Lacombe area

Between March 23 and March 25, 2014 the Blackfalds RCMP received 6 complaints of motor vehicles being stolen from Blackfalds and the rural area southeast of Lacombe, Alberta. The initial vehicle was stolen late on March 23, 2014 from within Blackfalds, Alberta. The subsequent vehicles, trucks, cars and a quad were stolen from rural residences in the early morning hours of March 25, 2014. Investigation revealed that a Chevrolet Cavalier was stolen from one rural residence and then left at a second nearby rural residence where a Ford F150 was stolen. The Ford F150 was left at another rural residence where a Honda Trax quad was stolen. The Honda 4 Trax was then left at another rural residence where a Chevrolet 1/2 ton truck was stolen. The stolen Chevrolet 1/2 ton truck and a Ford F350 (which was the original vehicle stored from Blackfalds) were abandoned on Range Road 261 just north of Township Road 402. A short walking distance from where these two vehicles were abandoned two more vehicles, a Pontiac Grand Am and a Ford 3/4 ton were stolen from closed buildings. The Ford 3/4 ton has since been recovered.

Two common thread through all these thefts are 1) the same culprits are responsible for all the thefts and 2) The keys are left in the vehicles and the vehicles are left unlocked. The Blackfalds RCMP are reminding rural residents that thieves are targeting rural properties for vehicle thefts so remove the keys from the vehicles, lock your vehicles and secure garages and outbuildings where vehicles may be kept.

The Blackfalds RCMP continue to investigate these thefts and are asking for the public's assistance in identifying the persons responsible for this series of thefts. The public are asked to call Crimestopper or the Blackfalds RCMP with any information on this crime spree.

Building and gas well shot at near Brooks

Brooks RCMP are currently investigating two incidents of Careless Use of a Firearm. The two incidents are believed to be related. Sometime from early February to March 23rd 2014, an unknown person or persons fired multiple shots from a high powered rifle causing extensive damage to an Eastern Irrigation District flow control building and a Cenovus sour gas well site. Both sites were located along Silver Sage road outside Brooks. Damages are estimated to be over $100,000.

RCMP are requesting the assistance of the public in the identifying those responsible for these crimes. If you have any information regarding either incident please contact the Brooks RCMP Detachment at (403) 794 4400, Brooks & District Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or visit www.brookscrimestoppers.com.

Red Deer RCMP seek public assistance in hit and run

At approximately 3:00 pm on March 25, 2014, Red Deer RCMP responded to a complaint of a hit and run on Nolan Street in Red Deer, Alberta. The victim of the hit and run was putting his children into his vehicle when an older minivan drove past and hit the door of the victim’s car. The van sped away without stopping, but the side mirror from the suspect vehicle was broken off and left behind. The victim and his children were not injured.

No license plate was obtained, but the damaged mirror was identified as belonging to a green 1995-1998 Ford Windstar van. Witnesses described the hit and run suspect as an Asian female with long, dark hair who appeared to be in her mid-40s. Patrols in the area did not turn up any suspects.

Failing to stop or remain at the scene of a collision is a Criminal Code violation. Anyone with information that may assist the police in identifying this suspect is asked to call Red Deer 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.

Leg traps found near Hinton trail area

Hinton RCMP would like to advise the public of leg-hold traps that were found on March 26, 2014 in the forest area near the Beaver Boardwalk Trail System. Four open traps were found armed underneath a light dusting of snow. This poses a significant risk to people and their pets who use the area. Hinton RCMP are asking the public to be very careful when utilizing the area, to keep dogs on a leash and stay only on marked trails. Police do not know at this time who is setting the traps or if other traps have been set in the area.

If anyone has any information regarding who may be responsible for setting the traps , please call Hinton RCMP at 780-865-2455, Fish and Wildlife at 780-865-8264 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Red Deer RCMP seek public assistance to identify mugger

At approximately 8:45 pm on March 20, 2014, Red Deer RCMP responded to a complaint of a mugging in the area of 48 Avenue and 54 Street in Red Deer, Alberta. The male victim was walking south on 48 Avenue when he was approached by a male who threatened to cut him unless the victim gave him money. The victim was not carrying cash but the suspect took his lighter. The victim ran away and the suspect continued to walk southbound on 48 Avenue.

RCMP made extensive patrols of the downtown core but were unable to locate anyone matching the description.

The suspect is described as:

• Thin
• Early 20s
• Caucasian with pimples on his face
• No tattoos, no facial hair
• Wearing a grey hoodie and dark jeans
• Carrying a black garbage bag

Anyone with information that may assist the police in identifying this suspect is asked to call Red Deer 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.

Collision with tractor trailer results in charges for Beaverlodge schoolbus driver

RCMP have charged the driver of the school bus that was involved in a collision with a tractor trailer in February of this year with a provincial traffic violation offence.

After a detailed investigation into the cause of a collision between a school bus and tractor trailer that occurred on February 18, 2014 the Beaverlodge RCMP have charged the female driver of the school bus, 41 year old Jan Fishleigh, of Valhalla Centre, with failing to proceed safely after stopping at an intersection, a violation under the Use of Highway and Rules of the Road Regulations. Fishleigh is scheduled to appear in Grande Prairie Provincial Court on April 30, 2014.

Ten of the twelve children aboard the school bus were taken to Beaverlodge and Grande Prairie hospitals by ambulance for treatment of a variety of injuries but there were no fatalities.