Policing in Alberta to April 14, 2014

press releases

• Warrant issued for Cold Lake murder suspect
• Pincher Creek RCMP media summary for the week of April 7 - 14
• Grande Prairie weekend news summary
• Canmore area traffic stop leads to marijuana seizure
• Red Deer company charged for unlawful export of goods to Iran
• Red Deer RCMP warn public of predators around bars
• Red Deer RCMP warn public of predators around bars

Warrant issued for Cold Lake murder suspect

On May 31, 2013, Cold Lake RCMP responded to a complaint of shots fired in a residential area of Cold Lake, Alberta. Miguel Alvarado, 31 years old, and Brent Mercredi, 23 years old were both charged with Attempt Murder with a Firearm.

On December 19, 2013, Brent Mercredi plead guilty to Assault and the charge of Attempt Murder was withdrawn. Brent Mercredi received a Suspended Sentence along with a term of Probation for 1 year.

Wanted, considered armed and dangerous: Miguel Alvarado

Miguel Alvarado currently has a warrant for his arrest for Attempt Murder. He is believed to be armed and dangerous and should not be approached. Miguel Alvarado is described as:

• Hispanic
• Bald
• 6'2" (188 cm) tall
• 240 lbs (109 kg)
• Right artificial eye (glass eye)

Anyone with information about the shooting or the location of Alvarado are asked to call the Cold Lake RCMP at (780)594-3302, their local police or if they wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers. At Crime Stoppers, you do not need to reveal your identity. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to Call Display, Call Trace or tape any phone calls. If your information leads to an arrest, you qualify for a cash award up to $2,000.00.

Pincher Creek RCMP media summary for the week of April 7 - 14, 2014

• Assaults - 2Break and Enter (commercial) - 2
• Mischief - 3
• Disturbing the Peace - 1
• MV Collisions - 3
• Liquor offences - 5
• Assistance to other agencies - 5
• False Alarms - 3
• 911 Calls (invalid) - 1

Grande Prairie weekend news summary

Between 4:00 p.m. Friday, April 11, 2014 and today April 14, 2014 the Grande Prairie RCMP received 228 reports and/or calls for service, of which included:

• 5 Abandoned Vehicles
• 7 Assaults
• 5 Breach of Conditions/Fail to Comply with Conditions
• 5 Break and Enters
• 4 Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
• 23 Disturb the Peace
• 7 Fail to Remain at Scene of Accident
• 4 False Alarms
• 1 Fraud
• 16 Impaired Driver Complaints
• 4 Items Lost or Found
• 17 911 Calls
• 4 Gaming and Liquor Act
• 17 Mischief
• 2 Municipal Bylaw
• 21 Thefts
• 5 Theft of Motor Vehicles
• 3 Suspicious Person/Vehicle/Property
• 17 Motor Vehicle Collisions
• 3 Uttering Threats
• 21 Other (Criminal Code, Provincial Act, Municipal Bylaw)
• 18 Assist (General Public, Other Police, Other Agency)
• 10 Other Moving Traffic Complaints
• 4 Other Non-Moving Traffic Complaints

Canmore area traffic stop leads to marijuana seizure

On April 11th, 2014, at approximately 5:50 a.m., Canmore RCMP observed a black Ford Focus driving erratically on the Trans-Canada Highway, near the Town of Canmore. The vehicle was stopped by police. An odor of marihuana was detected in the vehicle, and subsequently the driver and the passenger were arrested without incident.

Police searched the vehicle, and located and seized approximately 15 pounds of Cannabis Marihuana.

Two males, aged 40 and 41, from British Columbia were arrested and face charges under the Controlled Drug and Substances Act.

Red Deer company charged for unlawful export of goods to Iran

On February 27, 2014, as a result of a joint investigation between Calgary Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Federal Serious and Organized Crime and the Canada Border Service Agency’s (CBSA) Criminal Investigation Section, charges were laid under the Special Economic Measures Act, the Customs Act and the United Nations Act against Lee Specialties Ltd in Red Deer, Alberta.

On May 1, 2011, CBSA officers at the Calgary International Airport were conducting export verifications when they intercepted Viton O-rings from a cargo shipment destined for Iran. As a result, CBSA's Criminal Investigation Section launched an investigation and the RCMP was notified which resulted in a joint investigation. Viton O-rings are a prohibited commodity in the Special Economic Measures Act as they can be used in nuclear applications.

Lee Specialties Ltd will appear in Calgary Provincial court on April 14, 2014.


Quick Facts

CBSA and RCMP executed three search warrants in relation to Lee Specialties Ltd in February 2013.

• This is the first time Special Economic Measures Act charges have ever been laid and the third time United Nations Act charges have been laid in Canada.
• Viton is a brand of synthetic rubber and fluoropolymer elastomer commonly used in O-rings and other molded or extruded goods and has high temperature and chemical resistance characteristics. Due to Viton’s characteristics, it is a dual use item and can be used numerous applications including in the oilfield or in the nuclear program. 
• A viton o-rings and gaskets are specifically mention in Schedule 2 of the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations under the Special Economic Measure Act as a prohibited item which, cannot be shipped or sold to any person or company in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

For further information on the Special Economic Measures Act (SEMA) please visit http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/S-14.5/ ; and the United Nations Act (UN Act) please visit http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/U-2/

"The RCMP and CBSA are working together to stop shipment of illegal products to other countries and respecting our global responsibilities." - Superintendent Wade Oldford, Acting Director General, RCMP Federal Policing Criminal Operations.

“CBSA officers are not only the first line of defense for goods coming into Canada, but they are also the final eye to ensure goods leaving the country are being lawfully exported. This seizure prevented these items, which can be used in nuclear applications, from landing in the wrong hands.” - Lauren D. Delgaty, Regional Director General, CBSA Prairie Region.

Red Deer RCMP warn public of predators around bars

At approximately 2:40 am on April 11, 2014, Red Deer RCMP responded to a 911 call regarding an assault on a female leaving a bar. The female entered what she believed to be a taxi van that was waiting outside the bar with legitimate taxis. The male driver led the victim to believe he was operating a taxi, then proceeded to drive in a direction other than the address given him. The suspect then requested sex. When the victim attempted to jump out of the vehicle, the suspect tried to restrain her, but she was successful in evading him.

The van was green and similar in appearance to local taxi vans, though it is described as not having a business name on the vehicle. The male suspect is described as around 30 years old, dark complexion, unknown height, clean shaven, shorter black hair, and wearing a dark-coloured shirt with a collar. The victim spoke with an accent, possibly East Indian. The van was last seen driving toward downtown Red Deer. The victim was not injured during this incident, and immediate RCMP patrols of the area did not locate the suspect vehicle.

On April 13 at approximately 10:15 pm, Red Deer RCMP responded to a complaint regarding a suspicious male who offered a ride to a female leaving a bar. The suspect gained the victim’s trust by stating they had mutual friends and were going to the same destination. Once the victim was inside the vehicle, the suspect refused to let her out and became aggressive with her. The victim jumped from the vehicle when it was stopped at a red light and escaped without injury.

The male suspect in this incident is described as a Caucasian male, 55-60 years old, approximately 6' tall, medium build, short grey/white hair, no glasses tattoos or piercings, and a wrinkly face. The suspect vehicle is described as a newer white Ford F350 truck.

Red Deer RCMP continue to investigate these occurrences, which they do not believe are related. Police warn the public to be cautious of getting into vehicles with strangers, as predators often frequent areas around drinking establishments in search of potential victims.

Charges laid following pursuit in Spruce Grove

Early in the morning hours of April 10th, 2014, police observed a vehicle driving erratically in Spruce Grove. When the license plate was checked on the police information system, it came back as a stolen vehicle.

Upon attempting to pull the vehicle over, a short pursuit ensued. After terminating the pursuit for public safety, police utilized spike belts, Air 1 (assistance from Edmonton Police Service), neighboring detachments, and Police Dog Services in attempts to apprehend the vehicle.

The suspect vehicle tried to cross a creek North of Stony Plain near Onoway, and became stuck.

Police apprehended the driver and passenger in the water, and arrested both.

31 year old George Daniel Siemens and 32 year old Marie Lou Lise Juneau, neither of a fixed address, were remanded into custody to appear in Fort Saskatchewan Provincial Court on April 17th.

Siemens stands charged with:

• dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
• possession of stolen property
• flight from police

He had numerous outstanding warrants, and was arrested on those as well. He has a related criminal record.

Juneau stands charged with:

• possession of stolen property over $5000
• fail to comply with recognizance x 3

She has a related criminal record.