Policing in Alberta to October 16, 2014 (updated)

Red Deer RBC robber sought
Red Deer taxi assault suspect sought
Calgary convenience store robbers sought
Armed robbery at Subway in Red Deer
Fatal MVC south of Peace River
Man charged with Samson Cree Nations homicide (update)
St. Albert RCMP Drug Unit makes more arrests
Bait Vehicle Program leads to vehicle thief arrest
Vandalism to Provincial Building in Grande Prairie
Warrants issued for Grande Prairie shooting suspect
RCMP Airdrie City weekend report
Internet safety session for parents in Lethbridge

Calgary assault suspect arrested, one still sought
Record hashish seizure by ALERT

Missing Blackfalds teen Jamaica Daniels

Missing: Jamaica Daniels

Blackfalds RCMP
On October 11, 2014, Jamaica DANIELS, age 16 left her residence in Blackfalds and is considered missing. Jamaica has not been seen or heard from by any of her family members since this time. Jamaica DANIELS was last seen wearing black tights and a white T-shirt with black writing. She normally has shoulder length brown hair, but will often change her hair color and/or wear hair extensions. Jamaica is described as a non-white female, approximately 5 feet, two inches, 100 - 110 pounds. Jamaica has a piercing in her upper left lip and right nostril. Her ears each have one piercing as well. Jamaica is known to have friends and acquaintances in Red Deer and Blackfalds.

Missing: Jamaica Daniels

Red Deer RBC robber sought

Red Deer robbery suspect

Red Deer RCMP

At approximately 11:20 am on October 15, RCMP responded to a call of a robbery that had just occurred at the RBC Royal Bank located at 6791 50 Avenue in Red Deer. A man entered the bank and demanded cash; he was given an undisclosed amount of money. RCMP responded immediately and searched the area; they also obtained surveillance photos of the suspect, who was seen running on foot toward the Dairy Queen. No weapon was seen during this robbery and no one was injured. RCMP continue to search for this suspect.

The suspect is described as:

• Caucasian
• 6’ tall
• 35-45 years old
• Stocky build
• Wearing a black toque, dark sunglasses, grey pants with a white stripe down the leg, and a black jacket

Red Deer taxi assault suspect sought

Assault suspect

Red Deer RCMP

Shortly after 2:30 am on October 11, Red Deer RCMP responded to a report of an assault on a taxi driver and a passenger in the taxi. Two men leaving Lotus nightclub decided to share a taxi with another man, who they did not know, as they were all going to the north end of Red Deer. The two friends got into the back and the third man got into the front beside the driver. One of the men in the back seat became increasingly aggressive and belligerent; when the taxi driver pulled over to order him out of the vehicle, he punched the front seat passenger in the back of his head. He then exited, walked around the vehicle and punched the female taxi driver in the jaw. He and his friend then ran from the scene. The taxi they had ordered was on its way to Mustang Acres mobile home park.

Suspect description:

• Caucasian
• Approximately 22 – 25 years old
• 5’7” – 5’8” tall
• Slender build
• Blonde hair
• Blue eyes
• Wearing a t-shirt and jeans

Calgary convenience store robbers sought

The Calgary Police Service is seeking public assistance in relation to a convenience store robbery that took place late last week.

Robbery suspects

At approximately 1:20 a.m., on Friday, Oct. 10, 2014, police responded to a hold-up alarm at a convenience store in the 1100 block of Canterbury Drive S.W. Two men entered the store, before one of the men brandished a knife and demanded money, the victim’s cell phone and cigarettes before fleeing the store. No one was injured as a result of the incident.

The first man is described as Caucasian, between 22 and 24 years old, wearing blue jeans, a white shirt under a black jacket and a blue bandana. He was also wearing a distinctive green, winter/trapper-style hat with white trim.

The second man is described as Caucasian, between 22 and 24 years old, wearing blue jeans, a grey sweater and another green and blue striped sweater draped over his head.

More photos of two persons of interest can be found on The City of Calgary Newsroom.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 403-266-1234 or Crime Stoppers anonymously using any of the following methods:
TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org
TEXT: tttTIPS to 274637

Case #14397343

Armed robbery at Subway in Red Deer

Red Deer RCMP are investigating an armed robbery that took place on October 13, 2014 at the Subway restaurant located at 7644 50 Avenue. Shortly after 12:30 am, a masked female entered the restaurant carrying a long-barrel firearm and pointed it at the employee, demanding money. The suspect departed through the front door with an undisclosed amount of cash, turned left and ran north-bound across the street into the parking lot of the One Stop License Shop. The employee was not injured during the robbery and Police Dog Services attended to assist RCMP members in searching the area for evidence.

Robbery suspect

The woman is described as:

• Caucasian
• 5’ – 5’4” tall
• Wearing a dark pink hoodie with yellow writing on both arms and a yellow design on the back, a black balaclava, black pants and white shoes
• Having an injury to, or possible blindness, in her left eye

Fatal MVC south of Peace River

Peace Regional RCMP

Shortly before 9 am on the morning of October 15th, 2014 Peace Regional RCMP, St Isidore Fire Department, and Emergency Medical Services responded to fatal motor vehicle collision on Township Road 830 between range road 201 and 203. The matter is still under investigation, but it is believed that the collision occurred when a green Ford Taurus drove into the back of a tow truck that was loading a pick-up truck. The operator of the tow truck and the driver of the Taurus were both killed on impact.

Township road 830 was closed for several hours while fire crews and police continued their investigation.

Man charged with Samson Cree Nations homicide (update)

Maskwacis RCMP

On October 15, 2014, the Office of the Medical Examiner in Edmonton positively identified the victim of this homicide as Tyrell Preston Soosay, an 18 years old man from the Samson Cree Nation.  Tyrell and the accused, Walter LOUIS, were cousins and both residents of the Samson Cree Nation at the time.

Tyrell Preston Soosay

The Soosay family has asked the RCMP to disseminate a photograph of Tyrell (above) on their behalf and would appreciate if members of the media would use the photograph provided for their media coverage.

This matter remains under investigation.

St. Albert RCMP Drug Unit makes more arrests

St. Albert RCMP

On September 30, 2014, as a result of an on-going drug investigation, the St. Albert RCMP Drug Unit arrested 1 male adult and 1 female adult in a silver car for trafficking in a controlled substance and for possession of a controlled substance.  The car was searched and a search warrant was also conducted on a Morinville Hotel room. The St. Albert RCMP Drug unit called a RCMP Police Dog Service team of a Handler and dog to assist in the search warrant.

An undisclosed amount of drugs were seized by the RCMP including cocaine, methamphetamine, methylone, adavan and a quantity of bluish green tablets that were portrayed to be Oxycontin.  These tablets, that had the number 80 on one side, have not yet been analysed, but are extremely similar to the drugs that were found to be Fentanyl recently. 

Shane Fry, age 27, a resident of St. Albert, AB, and Carley Sherban, age 21, also a resident of St. Albert, have both been charged with:

• 6 counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance for the purpose of Trafficking
• 1 count of Possession of a Controlled Substance
• and 1 count of Possession of Property obtained as Proceeds of Crime.

Shane Fry also faces 4 additional charges of Breach of Recognizance stemming from earlier court matters.

Both Fry and Sherban will be appearing in St. Albert Provincial Court on October 27, 2014.

"Building Safe Communities is a priority to the RCMP and to the City of St. Albert." said Inspector Kevin Murray, the Officer in Charge of St. Albert RCMP. "Drug trafficking threatens the safety of our community so the RCMP will continue to do our part to investigate and arrest these types of criminals."

Bait Vehicle Program leads to vehicle thief arrest

Drayton Valley RCMP

Through the first few months of 2014, the Drayton Valley RCMP responded to an increase in Motor Vehicle and Off Highway Motor Vehicle Thefts in the Drayton Valley and Brazeau County. In response to these thefts, The Drayton Valley RCMP General Investigation Section partnered with the Edmonton RCMP Auto Theft Unit on the Bait Vehicle Program.

Over the past few months, various Bait Vehicles have been deployed around Drayton Valley and Brazeau County. The purpose of the Bait Vehicle Program is to help deter would be criminals, and to help catch the individuals who are responsible for stealing these vehicles. The Bait Vehicles used are police owned covert vehicles, which are monitored by the RCMP.

On August 30, 2014 one of the Bait Vehicles was stolen in which the vehicle was recovered and the suspect successfully apprehended without incident. RCMP members were able to track the movement of the Bait Vehicle and as a result arresting a 28-year-old Drayton Valley resident, Matthew Lewis McKay.  McKay faces numerous charges including theft, and mischief.  He was remanded into police custody and set to appear on October 15, 2014 in Drayton Valley Provincial Court.

At the forefront of these investigations is public safety. Utilizing vehicles that can be safely recovered highlights the importance police put into the suspect and the public's well-being. The Bait Vehicle Program is an invaluable technique used by policing authorities to help reduce the incidence of property crime. As a result, the Drayton Valley RCMP looks forward to their continued work with RCMP Edmonton Auto Theft Unit and the Bait Vehicle Program.

Vandalism to Provincial Building in Grande Prairie

Grande Prairie RCMP

RCMP are investigating vandalism to the Alberta Provincial Building that is believed to have occurred sometime overnight yesterday.

On October 14 Grande Prairie RCMP received a report from the Provincial Building, located on 10260-99th Street, that sometime overnight that a large portion of the building was vandalized by being spray painted. The building houses a number of Provincial agencies.

RCMP have recovered evidence from the scene and are having it examined by the Detachment's Forensic Identification Section. Police will also be examining footage from a number of surveillance cameras to try and identify the person or people involved. RCMP continue to investigate. The cost to have to spray paint removed has not yet been assessed.

Police are asking anyone with information to please call the detachment at 780-830-5701 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Warrants issued for Grande Prairie shooting suspect

Grande Prairie RCMP

Arrest warrants have been issued for a 24 year old male from Grande Prairie in relation to a shooting that occurred in April of this year.

Grande Prairie RCMP have obtained a judicially authorized warrant for arrest for 24 year old Adrian Eric MUISE of Grande Prairie. MUISE is wanted in connection to a shooting that occurred in the area of 93 Avenue and 93 Street during the early morning hours of April 8, 2014. MUISE has been charged with three Criminal Code counts in connection to the investigation: Careless Use of Firearm, Possession of Firearm While Unauthorized and Possession of a Firearm While Prohibited.

RCMP are asking anyone who might have information regarding MUISE's whereabouts to please contact the Grande Prairie RCMP at 780-830-5701 or Crime Stoppers at 1-8000-222-8477.

RCMP Airdrie City weekend report

Airdrie City RCMP responded to 89 calls for service this past weekend, starting 4:00 pm, Friday, October 10th, through to 7:00 am, Monday October 13th, 2014. Calls were dispatched to RCMP as the following and do not reflect actual occurrence or clearance status.

1 911 Act

1 Abandoned Vehicle

2 Animal Calls

3 Assistance to Outside Agencies

3 Assistance to General Public

3 Child Welfare Acts

1 Crime Prevention

1 Criminal Harassment

7 Disturbing the Peace

1 Extortion by Libel

10 False Alarms

2 Family Orders & Agreements

1 Fraud

1 Harassing Phone Call

2 Impaired Care or Control

5 Impaired Drivers

3 Items Lost or Found

1 Liquor Act

3 Mental Health Complaints

3 Mischief Complaints

6 Municipal Bylaw Complaints

9 Other Moving Traffic Violations

1 Theft under $5000

1 Parking Offences

3 Possession of Marihuana

1 Possession of Heroin

1 Request to locate individual

1 Robbery

3 Suspicious Person, vehicle or property Complaints

5 Traffic Collisions

4 Uttering threats against a person

Operation Impact resulted in the following;

1 Alcohol Impaired Driving Charge

12 Distracted Driving Charges

33 Aggressive / Speeding Driving Charges

5 Seatbelt Charges

1 Driving while Prohibited Charge

20 Other Traffic Charges

Internet safety session for parents in Lethbridge

Lethbridge Regional Police, in partnership with the City of Lethbridge, are hosting an internet safety session to help educate parents about online issues and provide tips to help prevent children from being victimized.

Internet and social media-related issues including cyber bullying, sexting and child pornography are among the biggest issues that local School Resource Officers address on a daily basis.

Teens and young children are able to access the internet 24/7 and in some cases know more about the online world than their parents. Children of all ages are very proficient online so it’s important for parents to understand social networking tools, know what their children are doing online and talk openly with them about internet safety.

Parents of school-aged children are invited to attend an internet safety education session on October 21, 2014 at 6 p.m. at the Yates Theatre, 1002 4 Avenue South. The session is free and will include a short presentation, followed by an opportunity to ask questions. All LRPS School Resource Officers will be in attendance.

Calgary assault suspect arrested, one still sought

The Calgary Police Service would like to thank members of the public and the media for their assistance in locating a man sought on Canada-wide warrants last week.

At approximately 3 a.m., on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014, police responded to call in the 100 block of St. Moritz Drive S.W. A woman at the location alleged a family member had been kidnapped and was being held in exchange for money.

When police arrived at the home, the male victim had just been returned and officers were able to take one person into custody. Two other men were able to flee the area.

Investigators believe the attack was targeted as the victim and the suspects knew of each other.

A press release was issued last week seeking public assistance to locate two men. As a result, on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014, Mohamed Abdi YUSUF, 23, was located and has been charged with assault with a weapon, assault, uttering threats, extortion, possession of stolen property over $5,000 and driving an uninsured motor vehicle. He will next appear in court on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014.

Tusif Ur Rehman CHHINA, 30, who also goes by the alias of Raheem, remains wanted on Canada-wide warrants. He is described as 5’9” tall, 130 pounds, with a medium build, brown eyes, balding black hair and a scar on his forehead.

Still sought: Tusif Ur Rehman Chhina

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 403-266-1234 or Crime Stoppers anonymously using any of the following methods:
TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org
TEXT: tttTIPS to 274637

Case #14299318

Record hashish seizure by ALERT

The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) has made the largest hashish seizure in Alberta. Thirty kilograms of hashish, valued at $600,000, was seized in Edmonton.
ALERT Edmonton, an integrated team made up of the Edmonton Police Service, RCMP, and Alberta Sheriffs, made the seizure on October 1st. The hashish, packaged and pressed in 30 one-kilogram bricks, was located in a west Edmonton storage locker. ALERT also seized six pounds of marihuana and $5,000 cash.

The investigation was initiated thanks to a Crime Stoppers tip from the public. Members of the public can report suspected drug or gang activity anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Craig Bendt Matthiessen, a 49-year-old Edmonton man, was at the location of the storage locker. He has been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking (x 2), possession of a controlled substance, and possession of proceeds of crime.

Hashish is a form of marihuana produced by collecting and compressing the plant. The Middle East, North Africa, Pakistan, and Afghanistan are the main sources of hashish. ALERT has experienced an increase in hashish seizures, which is mainly attributable the proliferation of e-cigarettes.

Since ALERT was formed in 2006, teams from across the province have taken upwards of $550 million worth of drugs off the street. In the past five months ALERT has achieved several Alberta-record seizures including:

• heroin – 14 kilograms, valued at $5.6 million (Jun. 4, 2014);
• marihuana - 292 kilograms, valued at $2.9 million (Jun. 4, 2014);
• steroids – 365,268 tablets, 10,583 vials, 1,374 powder, valued at $9.3 million (Sep. 25, 2014);
• hashish – 30 kilograms valued at $600,000 (Oct. 1, 2014).