Policing in Alberta to May 7, 2014

press releases

• Red Deer RCMP seek public assistance to locate missing woman FOUND
• Leduc RCMP requesting public assistance to locate missing man
• Lethbridge man charged in connection with shooting incident
• Credit Card Manufacturing Lab duo charged
• Calgary double homicide investigation update
• Sudden death in Strathmore deemed non-criminal
• Business Break and Enter and Theft in Lloydminster
• Red Deer Public Safety Compliance Team checks drinking establishments
• Grande Prairie RCMP investigating hit and run

Red Deer RCMP seek public assistance to locate missing woman FOUND

Leduc RCMP requesting public assistance to locate missing man

Missing: Peter Kakolak

Leduc RCMP are looking for the public's assistance in locating a missing 55 year old male, Peter KAKOLAK. KAKOLAK was last seen on the morning of April 30th, 2014, when he left the Travel Lodge Hotel on 50th street in Leduc. KAKOLAK was scheduled to fly back to his residence in Nunavut on May 2nd 2014 but did not show up for his flight. All attempts to locate KAKOLAK have been unsuccessful at this time. KAKOLAK is described as Native male, 5'8" tall, about 146lbs, with black hair and brown eyes. KAKOLAK has no visible tattoos or scars.

KAKOLAK does not wear glasses or have any other noticeable characteristics.

Lethbridge man charged in connection with shooting incident

Lethbridge Regional Police have charged a 24 yr old Lethbridge man with numerous offences after the male discharged a firearm into a residence in the Mountain Heights area of West Lethbridge early this morning.

Police received numerous calls from residents reporting a male walking down the street with a baseball bat and long rifle. The male fired multiple rounds from the firearm into a nearby home and into an unoccupied, parked vehicle. The home was occupied by a family at the time, however nobody was injured. Police responded and arrested the male without further incident.

Jesse Dallas Hills, age 24, of Lethbridge is charged with numerous firearms related offences including possession of a weapon dangerous, use of firearm while committing an offence, careless use of a firearm, pointing a firearm, discharging a firearm into a place, and unauthorized possession of a firearm. Hills is currently in police custody awaiting a bail hearing.

Credit Card Manufacturing Lab duo charged

The Calgary Police Service has charged two men in an alleged credit card and identification manufacturing lab investigation.

In January 2014, a financial institution alerted CPS to higher than normal fraud activity in the Calgary area.

Following a four-month investigation, on Friday, April 25, 2014, the Economic Crimes Unit executed a search warrant at a residence in the 400 block of Mahogany Terrace S.E. As a result, equipment forming a complete credit card and identification manufacturing lab was found in a hidden room in the basement.

Credit card skimming equipment, with gas pump overlays, as well as hundreds of counterfeit credit cards were found.

Investigators also seized 552.7 grams of MDMA with a street value of over $60,000, $16,000 in cash and more than $20,000 in stolen property.

Dennis RANUK, 31, of Calgary, is charged with possessing instruments for forging or falsifying documents, possession for the purpose of trafficking MDMA, possession of MDMA and proceeds of crime. RANUK remains in custody and will next appear in court on Wednesday, May 7, 2014.

Roman GARBAR, 30, of Calgary, is charged with possession of instruments for forging or falsifying. He will next appear in court on Tuesday, May 20, 2014.

The Economic Crimes Unit continues their investigation and numerous additional charges are pending.

Anyone who may have information about this case is asked to contact police 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

Calgary double homicide investigation update

Both victims of a domestic homicide that occurred Sunday have now been identified.

At approximately 6:30 p.m., on Sunday, May 4, 2014, police were called for reports of a stabbing at a home in the 6400 block of Penbrooke Drive S.E. When officers arrived they found one woman already deceased. A second woman was transported to hospital, where she later died. A third woman was taken to hospital in non life-threatening condition, where she was treated for her injuries and released.

The suspect fled the scene and was located a short time later and arrested. He was transported to a local hospital suffering from self-inflicted injuries.

On Monday, May 5, 2014, an autopsy was completed on the woman who died in hospital. She was identified as Fahmida VELJI-VISRAM, 29, of Calgary. On Tuesday, May 6, 2014, the other victim was identified as Sanjula DEVI, 36, of Calgary. It is believed she was the estranged wife of the suspect, and that VELJI-VISRAM was her friend. It was determined each woman died as the result of a stabbing.

Investigators have not yet spoken to the suspect, who remains in hospital in stable condition.

Two counts of second-degree murder and one count of aggravated assault are pending.

Anyone who may have information about this case is asked to contact police 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

Sudden death in Strathmore deemed non-criminal

Yesterday, a 18 year old male was found deceased outdoors in a residential neighbourhood in Strathmore, Alberta. An autopsy was conducted and the Medical Examiner's Office in Calgary have determined that this death was non-criminal.

No further release will be forthcoming. The identity of the deceased is not being released due to the wishes of the family.

Business Break and Enter and Theft in Lloydminster

The Lloydminster Municipal RCMP is asking the assistance of the public in identifying the individual(s) responsible for an early morning break & enter and theft from David's Steak House in Lloydminster, Alberta.

The incident occurred in the early morning hours of May third. The individual(s) entered the establishment, by possibly hiding inside after closing, and using various contractor tools; which were on site; to cut and pry open the two standing ATM'S in the bar area. They stole approximately $1700.00 in cash and caused significant damage to both machines.

Anyone with information regarding this incident 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.

Red Deer Public Safety Compliance Team checks drinking establishments

On Friday, May 2, the Red Deer Public Safety Compliance Team (PSCT) paid unannounced visits to 13 drinking establishments in Red Deer to check for over-serving of alcohol, serving of underage patrons, fire code violations, and to ensure the establishments weren’t exceeding their occupancy limits.

Members of PSCT noted minor infractions during the check, and verbal warnings were given to owners/managers on site. One charge was laid against a minor for attempting to enter a licensed premise; the minor was issued a $115 ticket under the Gaming and Liquor Act, 74(2).

PSCT members are pleased with the outcome of this initiative, and note improvements every time they conduct one of these unannounced checks. The agencies commend the owners and managers of Red Deer drinking establishments for their continuing efforts to ensure their patrons' safety. Red Deer Emergency Services would like to remind all business owners to keep emergency exits unobstructed at all times.

PSCT was formed in 2013 to address concerns related to drinking establishments in Red Deer. It is a partnership between Red Deer RCMP, Red Deer Emergency Services, Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission Red Deer Branch, City of Red Deer Inspections and Licensing and Alberta Health Services; PSCT focuses on prevention and enforcement, with the goals of improving the safety of staff and patrons, decreasing violence, and reducing the negative impact drinking establishments have on the community.

PSCT will continue with unannounced inspections of Red Deer drinking establishments on a regular basis.

Grande Prairie RCMP investigating hit and run

Police looking for the driver of a hit and run after a stolen vehicle collided with another vehicle and then collided with a house.

Last night at approximately 9:50 p.m. a pick-up truck collided with a small car in the intersection of Royal Oaks Drive and 105 Street, the pick-up truck then collided with a house and came to rest inside the garage. The suspect fled the scene on foot a short time later. Further investigation has revealed that the truck was stolen out of Leduc and the licence plate attached to the stolen pick-up was also stolen from another vehicle.

The driver of the small car was treated on scene and did not need to go to the hospital. No one in the home was injured. RCMP are looking for the male suspect who fled the scene. He is described as 5 foot 8 inches tall, approximately 50 years of age with stubble facial hair and wearing a brown 'Cartright' style jacket.

RCMP are asking anyone with information regarding this investigation to please contact the Grande Prairie RCMP at 780-830-5701 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.