Policing in Alberta to June 28, 2014

Pincher Creek fugitive apprehended (link)
Amber Alert for abducted Calgary child cancelled

Impaired driver kills young woman near Rocky Mtn House
13 year old boy charged in relation to Calgary stabbing death

Edmonton death determined to be homicide
Driver clocked at 170 km/h with child in back seat
Serious injury collision in Calgary
CBSA officers seize $30,500 in currency at YYC
St. Albert RCMP Bike Patrol and Cart Patrol host hot dog roast
Cocaine and marihuana traffickers charged in Stony Plain
EPS June Operation 24 Hours results

Impaired driver kills young woman near Rocky Mtn House

At 01:45 AM on June 22, 2014, the Rocky Mountain House RCMP, along with Emergency Medical Services responded to a fatal Motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian on Range Road 5-4 north of Highway 12. 20 year old Trisha WISE of Ontario was struck and killed by an SUV driven by 28 year Christopher William ROSS of Clearwater County. The incident is said to have started as an argument between the two that led to WISE walking down the rural road. Christopher ROSS was identified as the driver of the SUV that struck and killed WISE.

ROSS has been charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle While Impaired by Alcohol Causing Death and Causing an Accident Resulting in Death while wis blood alcohol was over .08% after RCMP determined his blood alcohol level to be nearly 3 times the legal limit.

Details of this incident have now been released after respectfully allowing notification of all family members.

13 year old boy charged in relation to Calgary stabbing death

Another charge has been laid in relation to the stabbing death of a man in his 40s.

On Friday, June 20, 2014, just before midnight, a man was discovered suffering from stab wounds outside of Marlborough Mall. The victim was transported to a local hospital in life-threatening condition and succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday, June 24, 2014. The victim was identified as Gabriel OKEYNAN, 45, of Calgary.

Soon after the victim was discovered, a suspect was located in the area and arrested. The 16 year old was charged with robbery. A charge of second-degree murder was later approved by the Crown and is expected to be laid in the near future.

On Wednesday, June 25, 2014, another 13-year-old male was arrested and later charged with second-degree murder in relation to the incident.

Neither teen can be named under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Investigators believe this was a random incident and the motive was robbery. Based on the investigation to date, officers are not looking for any other suspects at this time.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call the Homicide Unit Tip Line at 403-428-8877 or Crime Stoppers anonymously using any of the following methods:
TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TYPE: calgarycrimestoppers.org
TEXT: tttTIPS to 274637

Edmonton death determined to be homicide

Just before 10:30 am on Sunday, June 22, 2014, EPS officers responded to a report of a deceased male in a residence in the area of 91 Street and 83 Avenue. The autopsy on the suspicious death was completed by Edmonton’s Medical Examiner on Tuesday, June 24, 2014. Edmonton Police Service Homicide Section detectives are releasing the autopsy results in the death of Michael Bradley Laronde, 33. The cause of death is blunt force trauma to the head. His death is now being investigated as a homicide.

Anyone with information about the death or the circumstances that led up to it, is asked to contact the Edmonton Police Service at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.tipsubmit.com/start.htm

Edmonton driver clocked at 170 km/h with child in back seat

The Edmonton Police Service Specialized Traffic Apprehension Team (STAT) has charged the driver of a Mazda Speed 3 in connection with an excessive speed incident that placed his vehicle occupants and those on the road around him at tremendous risk.

At approximately 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 26, 2014, STAT officers in an unmarked police vehicle were conducting traffic enforcement on Anthony Henday Drive near Yellowhead Trail. The STAT officers were in the process of initiating a vehicle stop, when a Mazda Speed 3 passed them at such a high rate of speed that it shook the police vehicle. The Mazda continued northeast on Anthony Henday, all the while constantly changing lanes and dodging heavy traffic during the morning commute. The car continued to accelerate away and officers clocked the car at a speed of 170 km/h in the 100 km/h zone. The car exited onto St. Albert Trail and quickly accelerated to approximately 100 km/h in the 70 km/h zone. The Mazda continued southbound and turned west onto 156 Street at a car dealership where the STAT unit intercepted the car.

The STAT officers discovered that there were three occupants in the Mazda Speed 3: the 38-year-old male driver, a 37 year-old female in the passenger seat, and a two-year-old male in the back seat.

When officers asked the driver why he was going so quickly, he said “I had an appointment,” then “I’m dropping the child off at his grandparents,” and “when you're speeding you don't realize how fast you are going.” Finally the driver said he “was being chased by another vehicle,” which was not witnessed by police nor reported to 911.

Police STAT officers consulted with the Crown Prosecutor’s Office on the file, and charged the 38-year-old driver of the Mazda Speed 3 with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and child endangerment under the Criminal Code of Canada.

Police continue to intercept drivers travelling at very high speeds, and so far in 2014 there have been 214 mandatory court tickets issued for excessive speeding (more than 50 km/h over the posted speed limit), and 19,038 speeding tickets issued by officers. In 2013, there were a total of 369 mandatory court tickets and 32,398 speeding tickets issued by EPS officers.

“These excessive speed incidents happen all too often and we hear a lot of justifications from drivers, but regardless, there are no excuses for travelling that fast,” says Sgt. David Green with EPS STAT.

Serious injury collision in Calgary

On June 28, 2014, at approximately 130 a.m. a 2005 Nissan Altima with two occupants was traveling west bound 16 avenue in the 900 block North West, when it mounted the middle concrete median and stuck a light standard.

Both individuals were transported to the hospital with life threatening injuries. Alcohol does not appear to be a factor but drugs and speed may have contributed to the collision.

The Calgary Police Traffic section is investigating the collision.

CBSA officers seize $30,500 in currency at YYC

On June 22, CBSA officers at the Calgary International Airport were conducting routine export checks on an outbound flight. A traveller had declared $26,500 in currency for export, but upon further examination officers found an additional $4,000 in undeclared currency along with evidence to suggest the currency was suspected proceeds of crime. The currency was seized as suspected proceeds of crime with no terms of release.

The investigation is ongoing.

Quick Facts

• Since January 1, 2014, the CBSA has made 88 currency seizures valued at over $1,250,000 at the Calgary International Airport; 12 of these – approximately $216,000 – are suspected proceeds of crime.
• Since June 1, 2014, the CBSA has made 12 currency seizures valued at over $176,000 at the Calgary International Airport. One of these – approximately $30,000 – are suspected proceeds of crime.
• There are no restrictions on the amount of money that can be brought into or taken out of Canada
• Currency and other monetary instruments valued at $10,000 or more must be reported. Failure to report may result in seizure action and monetary penalty up to $2,500.

St. Albert RCMP Bike Patrol and Cart Patrol host hot dog roast

On June 27, 2014, St. Albert RCMP Bike Patrol and Cart Patrol met at Lions' Park and hosted a hot dog roast for youth. Approximately 20 youth in total stopped by, roasted some hot dogs and visited with the officers during the evening. The hot dogs were sponsored by St. Albert Neighbourhood Watch as part of their Crime Prevention initiatives.

 

Cst. Ferguson, Cst. Belcastro and Cst. Burroughs

"Roasting hot dogs together lets the police and the youth get to know each other. Strong, positive relationships make the RCMP more approachable if youth need help." says Cpl. Laurel Kading.

Cocaine and marihuana traffickers charged in Stony Plain

Two men from outside the Parkland Region have been charged for drug trafficking in Stony Plain.

Spruce Grove/Stony Plain RCMP Drug Section arrested two men on Tuesday, June 24th, following an investigation into cocaine and marihuana trafficking. It is alleged the men were operating a "dial-a-dope" operation, utilizing a cell phone and meeting up in various locations throughout our community to sell drugs.

Approximately 19 individually wrapped bags of cocaine were seized, weighing close to 6 grams. Close to 17 grams of marihuana was also seized, along with 4 cellular telephones and a quantity of cash.

22 year old Bo Nolan TOMKINS of Edmonton and 18 year old Eden Lake WILLIER of High Prairie were each charged with the following offences:
possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine)
possession of a Schedule II substance for the purpose of trafficking (marihuana)
possession of the proceeds of crime under $5000 (Canadian currency)
Both men were released from custody on $1000 cash bail, with conditions to not attend within a 10 km radius of Stony Plain (except for court), not possess any hand-held communication devices, and refrain from the purchase, possession, or consumption of non-prescription drugs.

They will make their first appearance in Stony Plain Provincial court on July 16th, 2014.

"Drug traffickers, along with the associated risks they bring, are not welcome in our community", states Staff Sergeant Steve Bergerman.

EPS June Operation 24 Hours results

More than 4,100 traffic tickets were issued last week by Edmonton Police officers and automated enforcement during Operation 24 Hours. The enforcement blitz attempts to improve traffic safety in our city by targeting excessive speeding and dangerous driving practices.

In the 24-hour enforcement period starting at 7 a.m. on Friday, June 20, 2014, 3,516 speeding violations were issued. There were 659 additional tickets issued for a variety of violations, including seatbelt infractions, impaired driving, distracted driving, traffic safety violations and Criminal Code violations.

One motorist, operating a Nissan Altima, was stopped at Whitemud Drive and 34 Street for travelling 136 km/h in an 80 km/h zone, 56 km/h over the posted speed limit. The motorist was given a compulsory court date and could face fines up to $2,300 and other penalties.

Another motorist, travelling 111 km/h in an 80 km/h zone, was stopped on Whitemud Drive at the Quesnell Bridge. After refusing to provide identification and documentation, the motorist was issued tickets for speeding and no insurance (minimum fine of $2,875), along with charges of resisting arrest and obstructing a peace officer.

There were 4,174 tickets issued for the June 2014 Operation 24 Hours. This is an increase from the 3,074 tickets issued during the June 2013 enforcement initiative.