Policing in Alberta to July 3, 2014

Homicide at Alexis First Nations Reserve

Fatal collision in Calgary

Grand Prairie man's death ruled a homicide

St. Albert RCMP Talk to 50+ Club

Renting scam in St. Albert

St. Albert RCMP celebrates Canada Day with community

Assault investigation in Peace River

Theft in St. Albert

Apartment fire in Red Deer

Edmonton impaired driver faces multiple charges

Homicide at Alexis First Nations Reserve

On July 1, 2014, at approximately 4:45 pm Mayerthorpe RCMP officers and EMS were dispatched to the Alexis First Nations Reserve for a reported stabbing. The victim, Warren POTTS, a 23-year-old man of Alexis First Nations Reserve, was pronounced deceased upon emergency services' arrival on scene.

Edmonton Major Crimes Unit was called to assist and assumed responsibility of the investigation. The suspect was soon identified to be Nakoa POTTS, a 27-year-old man from the reserve and half brother of the victim. Nakoa POTTS was arrested on the reserve this afternoon and charged with one count of second degree murder. A court date has yet to be set.

An autopsy was conducted on the deceased at the Office of the Medical Examiners in Edmonton and it was determined that Warren POTTS died as a result of one single stab to the chest area and the matter of death is homicide.

This incident occurred in an area of town that was witnessed by many bystanders. Investigators were met with a great deal of support and co-operation from community members in Alexis First Nation the result being that the situation was resolved quickly and safely.

Although officers are not seeking anyone else in relations to this matter, the RCMP continues to investigate and is looking to the public for any assistance and any information in relations to this incident.

Fatal collision in Calgary

On Tuesday, July 1, 2014, at approximately 1:35 a.m., a single vehicle collision occurred near the intersection of McLeod Trail and 18 Avenue S.E.

A 2000 BMW 323I, Alberta plate BMD7531, was travelling northbound on McLeod Trail when it left the west side of the roadway striking a fence, a light standard and two large trees before coming to rest on its roof. The 24-year-old male driver, later identified as Saloman CARDONA-GALLEGO, 25, was not wearing his seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle. The vehicle briefly caught fire, which was extinguished by the Calgary Fire Department. The driver was transported to hospital in serious life-threatening condition and later succumbed to his injuries.

Alcohol and speed are believed to be factors in the collision. Northbound McLeod Trail remained closed from 25 Avenue to 18 Avenue while the Traffic Section investigated the collision. It was reopened at 7 a.m. this morning, Tuesday, July 1, 2014.

Grand Prairie man's death ruled a homicide

Grand Prairie, Alberta - On Wednesday June 25, 2014 at approximately 9:00 p.m., Grande Prairie RCMP officers responded to several complaints of shots fired at a location known by locals, as "Cutbank" south of Grand Prairie. A male was located in a wooded area and found to be deceased. A second male who received non-life threatening injuries, was treated and has since been released from the hospital. Edmonton RCMP Major Crime Unit was called in to assist with this investigation.

The deceased was identified as Devin PISCH, a 27-year-old man of the Grande Prairie area. An autopsy was performed at the Edmonton Medical Examiner's Office and it was confirmed that he died from gunshot and his death was ruled to be a homicide. This incident was not a random act of violence as the persons involved are known to each other.

RCMP officers have since made two arrests in connection with this incident:

• Jerrid RYCHARD (35-years-old) has been charged with: Discharge firearm with intent sec. 244 CC, pointing a firearm sec. 87 CC, Unauthorized Possession of a firearm sec. 91 CC, Possess a firearm knowing it's possession is unauthorized, Possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition. RYCHARD was on conditions from previous unrelated charges dated June 4, 2014 and is facing several breach charges. 
• Gregory DECKER (33-years-old) has been charged with: Discharge firearm with intent sec. 244 CC, Pointing a firearm sec. 87 CC, Unauthorized possession of a firearm sec. 91 CC, Possession of a firearm knowing it's possession is unauthorized, Possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition. DECKER is prohibited from possessing firearms and also faces a charge of possession of a firearm while prohibited.

RYCHARD was remanded into custody and his next appearance is scheduled for July 4, 2014 in Grande Prairie Provincial Court.

DECKER was also remanded into custody and his next court appearance is scheduled for July 23, 2014 in Grande Prairie Provincial Court.

The "Cutbank staging area" is a location used for camping, quadding and fishing on the Cutbank River and is not an provincial camping site. It is located approximately 70 km south of Grande Prairie on highway 40 half way to Grand Cache.

The RCMP continues to investigate and is looking to the public for any assistance and any information in relations to this matter.

St. Albert RCMP Talk to 50+ Club

On June 24, 2014, St. Albert RCMP talked to the Men's Breakfast Club at the St. Albert 50+ Club about being police officers. Cst. McKay and Cst. Avoine answered questions about investigating crimes, women in the RCMP, texting and driving and about St. Albert Victim Services. This group of energetic gentlemen talked with the officers about how they can help prevent crime in St. Albert and how to protect themselves from fraud.

Cst. Avoine said, "The Mens' Club were a fun bunch! We really enjoyed getting to know them and it is good to see Seniors still taking an active role in stopping crime in St. Albert."

Renting scam in St. Albert

A local St. Albert resident has fallen victim to an internet fraudster in a Renting Scam. The 28 year old St. Albert lady had advertised a room for rent on a well known internet site. She was contacted by an unknown person portraying herself to be a woman in need of a room. Over a period of a few weeks, correspondence was exchanged between the two people and an agreement about renting the room was made.

The St. Albert woman then received a cheque to cover the first month's rent and utilities. Strangely the cheque was written for a sum that was substantially more than the amount that was due. The renter asked that the extra money be sent back by a money order made out in a West African type of currency. Unfortunately, the St. Albert woman has now discovered that the original cheque was invalid and she has been defrauded.

St. Albert RCMP warn residents to be very familiar with the fraud information on the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre site in order to protect themselves from these types of crimes. Sending cheques to people for more than an agreement demands and asking for the extra to be returned is a sign of a common scam. On www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca there is an explicit list of scams that are occurring throughout Canada. Keeping ourselves informed is the best defence to this type of criminal.

St. Albert RCMP celebrate Canada Day with the community

St. Albert RCMP were out in force at St. Albert's Lions' Park to celebrate Canada Day with the community. Some RCMP officers were in Red Serge, while others were on bike patrol or foot patrol in regular uniform. Many members of the community had a chance to try on Red Serges and have their photos taken as a "Mountie". Perhaps some of the youngsters will one day join the ranks of the RCMP and wear a Red Serge for real.

3 St. Albert youngsters with Cst. Burroughs

 4 children with Cst. Burroughs and Cst. Avoine

Assault investigation in Peace River

Peace Regional RCMP is investigating an assault that allegedly took place in the early hours of July 2, 2014 in Peace River. A local man suffered serious injuries, and has been flown to Edmonton as a result. The investigation has police looking into several leads in an effort to piece together the events that took place. As a result a portion of the dyke near the bridge was closed off as well as the alley between 100 street and 101 street from the traffic circle to the Credit union.

Theft in St. Albert

On June 8, 2014 at approximately 2:20 pm an unknown female entered the electronics department at the St. Albert Target and proceeded to take a Blue Ray player and a set of Sony head phones.  The female concealed the items in her shoulder bag and exited the store without paying.  The female has longer dark brown hair and was wearing a light blue or grey shirt, black tights and was carrying a red/dark pink shoulder bag.

Suspected thief

Apartment fire in Red Deer

Shortly after 8:00 am on 2014-06-28, Red Deer City RCMP and Red Deer Emergency Services responded to an apartment fire located in the 5100 block of 50th Ave in downtown Red Deer. The building was evacuated and 52 Street was temporarily blocked off while the fire was extinguished. Smoke and fire damage was limited to a small area on one floor only. There were no injuries reported.

Although the cause of the fire is believed suspicious and is currently under investigation, the public is not at risk.

Edmonton impaired driver faces multiple charges

The Edmonton Police Service has charged the driver of a Toyota Corolla involved in a serious injury collision with a Dodge Ram in west Edmonton on Monday morning.

On Monday, June 30, 2014 it was reported by witnesses that a Toyota Corolla was travelling westbound on 111 Avenue, and allegedly continued through the intersection against the red light. A Dodge Ram 2500 travelling southbound on 156 Street struck the car in the intersection, and both vehicles continued into the southwest corner of the intersection. Both occupants of the Toyota were treated and transported to hospital by EMS. The 25-year-old female driver suffered minor injuries, however, the 26-year-old female passenger suffered life-threatening injuries. The 45-year-old male driver of the Dodge did not report any injuries.

In the course of the investigation, it was determined that the driver of the car was impaired by drugs, and quantities of heroin, methamphetamine, MDMA (ecstasy), and gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) were found in the driver’s possession and in the vehicle.

(name redacted), 25, has been charged with impaired driving causing bodily harm, possession of a controlled substance (x3), possession for the purpose of trafficking, and breach conditions of recognizance (x2).