Policing in Alberta to August 22, 2014

Fatal MVC near Airdrie
Suspect in Lethbridge assault/confinement at large
Lethbridge man a suspect in Nanaimo home invasion
Overdue motorcyclist FOUND
Prolific liquor store shoplifter in Red Deer
Fatal MVC near Airdrie
Scammer(s) pretend to be RCMP
Pellet gun shots fired at Samson Cree Nation
Fake prescription fraud in St. Albert
Suspicious house fire in Vegreville

Hit and run injures Falher cyclist
Bank robbery in Calgary
Nighttime break-ins in north Calgary
Man charged with several robberies in Calgary

Firearms seizure made in connection to “Dr. Frankenstein” 
End of lockdown and search at Edmonton Institution

3 women charged in connection with assault, unlawful confinement in Lethbridge

• One suspect still at large

Wanted: Cherise Gail Bruno, 22, of Lethbridge

Lethbridge Regional Police have charged three women in connection with an incident where an 18-year-old woman was unlawfully confined and assaulted over a period of several hours.

On August 20, 2014 police responded to a report that an 18-year-old woman had been assaulted by three female acquaintances. The woman was transported to Chinook Regional Hospital with extensive, but non-life-threatening injuries.

Investigation determined that the previous night the victim had accompanied a female acquaintance for a drive and was taken to a farm outside the city. A short time later two other female acquaintances arrived and the three women began assaulting the 18-year-old. The victim was assaulted over the course of several hours and then driven back to the city. This was not a random incident.

Two of the women were taken into custody Wednesday and a warrant for the arrest of the third woman has been issued.

Samantha Rose Ann Oldenburger, 24, of Coalhurst, is charged with kidnapping, unlawful confinement, assault causing bodily harm, assault with a weapon, uttering threats, mischief under $5,000, and robbery. Oldenburger was remanded to appear in court today.

Chanel Leece Umpherville, 19, of Coalhurst, is charged with kidnapping, unlawful confinement, assault causing bodily harm, assault with a weapon, uttering threats, mischief under $5,000, and robbery. Umpherville was remanded to appear in court today.

A warrant has been issued for Cherise Gail Bruno, 22, of Lethbridge. Bruno is charged with kidnapping, unlawful confinement, assault causing bodily harm, assault with a weapon, uttering threats, mischief under $5,000, and robbery.

Anyone with information on Bruno’s whereabouts is asked to contact police 403-328-4444 or Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-8477.

Lethbridge man a suspect in Nanaimo home invasion

Wanted: Jeremy Christopher Doucet

Lethbridge Regional Police are seeking the public’s assistance to locate a 26-year-old man charged in connection with a home invasion in Nanaimo, BC.

Jeremy Christopher Doucet, formerly of Nanaimo, is now believed to be residing in Lethbridge.
Doucet is charged with break and enter, robbery, disguised with intent and breaching an undertaking.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 403-328-4444 or Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers will pay up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest.

Overdue motorcyclist FOUND

Milk River RCMP investigator advised that overdue USA citizen traveller, Mr. Caldwell, has been located safe and sound and has made it to the Alaska Border US Customs.

The Milk River RCMP would like to thank the media and the public for their assistance in this matter

Prolific liquor store shoplifter in Red Deer

Red Deer RCMP are asking for public assistance to identify a suspect who committed a string of thefts from liquor stores in June and July; the suspect was captured on surveillance cameras in several of the liquor stores he stole from but RCMP investigation has not yet identified the man.

Theft suspect

This suspect stole several cases of hard liquor from the Co-op Liquor Store in Taylor Plaza on June 26 and again on July 12. He also stole several cases of liquor from the Co-op Liquor Store in Deer Park on June 19 and again on June 22. In each case he carried the cases out to his waiting vehicle. RCMP believe the same suspect is also responsible for similar liquor store thefts in surrounding communities.

The suspect is described as a Caucasian male with tattoos on his forearms and dark hair. He usually wears a ball cap and sometimes has some facial hair. The vehicle he was driving is a grey extended cab truck. Please see attached photos.

Anyone with information that may assist the police in identifying the suspect responsible for this crime 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.

Fatal MVC near Airdrie

Airdrie RCMP

On 21 August 2014, at approximately 10:40 am, Airdrie Rural RCMP and Airdrie Integrated Traffic Services responded to a serious motor vehicle collision on Highway 566 and Highway 9 involving a semi-truck and a passenger car.

A female passenger of the car sustained serious injuries and was transported via STARS Air Ambulance, but unfortunately succumbed to her injuries. The male driver of the car was transported by ground ambulance with serious injuries. The driver of the semi-truck sustained minor injury and was treated on scene. At the request of family, no names of the involved will be released.

Initial investigation reveals that the passenger car crossed the path of an oncoming semi-truck, resulting in a serious collision. No charges are being considered.

Rocky View Fire Services, Provincial Emergency Medical Services and an RCMP Collision Analyst attended the scene. Rocky View Peace Officers assisted with traffic control.

The roadway is now open to traffic. The RCMP would like to thank motorists for their patience and co-operation regarding traffic delays in this unfortunate event.

Scammer(s) pretend to be RCMP 

RCMP Wetaskiwin

Wetaskiwin City RCMP are investigating complaints regarding telephone scams targeting citizens in Wetaskiwin and area.

Over the past several weeks, unknown person(s) have been phoning citizens of Wetaskiwin, Camrose along with other locations in Alberta, pretending to be an RCMP member claiming the complainant has warrants out for their arrest, citing a warrant number and bogus violations. The caller then advises the complainant that they have to pay a fee to have the warrants canceled. Another scenario, the unknown person is claiming to be an RCMP officer of Revenue Canada, advising that if the complainant does not pay a sum of money a lawsuit would be filed against them.

To date it appears that no one has fallen victim to this scam. Please be advised that variations of this type of phone scam may exist but the end result is to extract money from the intended victims.

RCMP are continuing to investigate and are looking to speak to anyone who may have experienced similar incidents.

Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to contact Wetaskiwin City RCMP at 780.312.7267 and to Phone busters at 1.888.495.8501.

If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1.800.222.8477, text TIP360 and message to CRIMES, or report it online at www.tipsubmit.com.

Pellet gun shots fired at Samson Cree Nation

Maskwacis RCMP

At 12:21 pm on Thursday August 21st Maskwacis RCMP were dispatched to a shots fired complaint at a residence at the Samson Cree Nation Town site. RCMP Members and Police Dog Service established containment surrounding two houses and diverted traffic on Highway 611 for approximately one hour in the interest of public safety. The investigation determined a pellet gun was used in the office, which has been recovered. No one inside the residence involved was injured but the residence suffered damage to a window. An adult male from Maskwacis has been identified as being responsible for the incident, and charges are pending further investigation.

Fake prescription fraud in St. Albert

St. Albert RCMP
On Monday, August 11, 2014 at approximately 5:30 p.m., St. Albert RCMP was dispatched to an attempted fraud complaint at the Shoppers Drug Mart located in the Summit Centre in St. Albert . A female suspect had attempted to obtain medical prescription drugs using an altered photocopied prescription note. Staff was able to confirm the forged document was false and refused to fill the prescription order. The female suspect left the store prior to police attendance.

 

St. Albert prescription fraud suspect

The suspect is described as:

• female, approximately 30 to 40 years old
• white skin colour
• blonde hair that is darker at the roots
• bigger build

Suspicious house fire in Vegreville

Vegreville RCMP

Just after midnight on August 21st, 2014, Vegreville RCMP were dispatched to a house fire on 45th Street in Vegreville, which was occupied at the time of the fire. RCMP are treating this incident as a criminal investigation and are turning to the public for any information that may assist with this investigation. The public is encouraged to call the Vegreville Detachment with any information that may assist investigators. The RCMP is currently following up on several leads and has sought the assistance from a Fire Scene Investigator, as well as the RCMP's Edmonton General Investigation Section and Forensic Identification Section. No one was injured in the blaze and all occupants escaped unharmed.

If you have any information about this or any crime, call the Vegreville RCMP at 780-632-2223, or if you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

Hit and run injures Falher cyclist

McLennan RCMP

On August 9th, 2014, at about 8:45 pm, a cyclist was struck by a pickup truck while riding eastbound down the alley between 2nd Avenue SW and 3rd Avenue SW in Falher, Alberta. The cyclist was struck on the left side and suffered a broken femur. The driver of the truck did not stop and left the scene of the collision. The truck is believed to be red in colour of an unknown make and model.

The incident is still under investigation and the McLennan RCMP are requesting that anyone with information about the collision please contact the Detachment at 780-324-3086 or Crimestoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477).

Bank robbery in Calgary

Calgary Police Service

At 10:24 a.m., on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2014, an unknown man entered the CIBC located in the 2300 block of Centre Street N. He approached a teller and produced a note demanding money. He was given an undisclosed amount of money before leaving the bank. No one was injured during the robbery.

The man is described as Caucasian, approximately 30 years old, 5’5” to 5’8” tall, with a slim build, short light-brown hair and was clean shaven. He was wearing a green camouflage baseball hat, black wire-rimmed glasses, a red jacket with white and navy or black stripes, tan khaki pants and light-coloured running shoes.

Nighttime break-ins in north Calgary

The Calgary Police Service is continuing to urge residents to properly secure their homes and vehicles after a number of nighttime break-ins have occurred.

Between Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014, and Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2014, eight break and enters have been reported in the communities of Arbour Lake, Rocky Ridge, Royal Oak, Harvest Hills, Coventry Hills and Hidden Valley. In all cases, the culprit(s) gained access to residences by removing screen windows and doors, through unlocked windows and doors or through overhead garage doors. It is unknown if any of these incidents are connected.

In many cases, residences were occupied at the time of the break-ins.

The Service would like to remind Calgarians to stay vigilant and to secure their homes and vehicles throughout all hours of the day, regardless of residences being occupied. Citizens should follow these safety tips:

Hide or preferably remove any valuables from vehicles, including garage door openers. Offenders can easily gain access to a residence by using a garage door opener that has been left in a vehicle.
Lock all doors and windows, including doors leading from an attached garage into a residence. Screen doors and windows do not provide any level of security as they can be easily cut or removed.
Turn off power to overhead garage doors.
Report any suspicious activity to police by calling 403-266-1234. If a crime is in progress, please call 9-1-1.

Man charged with several robberies in Calgary

The Calgary Police Service Robbery Unit has charged a man in relation to several robberies that occurred earlier this month.

On Sunday, August 10, 2014, at 7:15 p.m., a man approached a till at the Liquor Depot at 120 36 St. S.E. He robbed the employee of a quantity of cash before leaving the store.

On Tuesday, August 11, 2014, at 2:45 p.m., a man entered the National Bank at 7337 Macleod Trail S. He approached one of the windows, threatening the employee before fleeing with an undisclosed quantity of cash.

At approximately 6:35 p.m., on Thursday, August 14, 2014, a man attempted to rob the Petro-Canada at 10120 Elbow Drive S.W., by threatening an employee, but left the store before obtaining cash.

Twenty minutes later, at 6:55 p.m., a man entered Rexall Pharmacy located at 11625 Elbow Drive S.W. He made his way to the pharmacy counter, where he robbed the pharmacist of a quantity of drugs.

In each of these cases, investigators believed the same suspect may have been involved, and they identified a truck they believe was used.

On Sunday, Aug. 17, 2014, at approximately 10:10 p.m., a man entered the Daily Liquor Store at 7531 Macleod Tr. S. He attempted to rob the store by threatening the staff with a weapon, but fled the business without obtaining cash.

Several minutes later, at 10:15 p.m., a man robbed the Petro Canada at 7603 Macleod Tr. S., by threatening the clerk with a weapon. He fled with an undisclosed quantity of cash.

At approximately 3:30 a.m., on Monday, Aug. 18, 2014, the truck associated to some of the previous cases was spotted by CPS patrol officers at a parking lot in the 4000 block of MacLeod Tr. S. One man was taken into custody without incident.

Brent Blair BROWN, 50, of no-fixed-address, has been charged with seven counts of robbery and two counts of possession of a weapon.

BROWN remains in custody. His next court appearance is Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2014.

Firearms seizure made in connection to “Dr. Frankenstein”

ALERT Fort McMurray

A 29-year-old Fort McMurray man was arrested and 13 firearms were seized by Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) in connection to a British Columbia-based weapons trafficker.

The arrest and seizure by ALERT’s Wood Buffalo team was made in connection to a Langley, B.C. man labelled “Dr. Frankenstein of weapons makers”, who was the target of an investigation by Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of B.C. (CFSEU-BC), United States Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms and Explosives (US ATF).

Read original news release from CFSEU-BC:  www.cfseu.bc.ca/en/media-room-blog/188-charges-laid-against-alleged-firearms-trafficker

The B.C. man was suspected of selling gun parts which convert Glock pistols to fully automatic and silencers via the internet. One of the alleged buyers was Travis Saunders, a 29-year-old man from Fort McMurray, who was arrested on August 19th with the assistance of Wood Buffalo RCMP members. A search warrant executed at Saunders home led to the recovery of an illegally modified, fully automatic Glock handgun in addition to an arsenal of other firearms and ammunition.

“The modified Glock is a highly dangerous weapon with a rate of fire of 1,200 rounds per minute. This seizure should come as a relief to the community and further demonstrates the working relationship ALERT has with our policing partners across the province, in B.C. and the United States to protect the safety of Albertans,” said Insp. Gary Peck.

The firearms seized from Saunders home included:

• Fully automatic Glock 17 handgun;
• Tikka T3 rifle;
• Bushmaster Carbon 15 rifle;
• Savage Arms assault rifle;
• Two handguns;
• Five rifles;
• Two shotguns;
• More than 3,000 rounds of shotgun, rifle, and pistol ammunition.

Three young children were inside the home at the time of the search warrant and the majority of the firearms seized were illegally stored. Saunders was the licensed owner of the firearms.

Saunders faces numerous weapons-related charges, including:

• possession of a prohibited firearm;
• possession of a prohibited firearm with readily available ammunition;
• altering a firearm to discharge a projectile in rapid succession;
• possession of a prohibited device;
• unsecure storage of a non-restricted firearm (x 2);
• unsecure storage of a restricted firearm.

ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime. Nearly 400 municipal police, RCMP, and sheriffs work in ALERT.

End of lockdown and search at Edmonton Institution

Correctional Service Canada

The lockdown put in place at Edmonton Institution on August 15, 2014 has ended and an exceptional search has been completed. The institution has resumed its normal operations.  A number of unauthorized items were found during the exceptional search.

Correctional Service Canada (CSC) is strengthening measures to prevent the entry of contraband into its institutions in order to ensure a safe and secure environment for everyone. CSC also works in partnership with the police to take action against those who attempt to have contraband brought into correctional institutions.

Visits to the institution have resumed.