Policing in Alberta to December 5, 2014

Abduction, Robbery and Sexual Assault in Red Deer

Fatal MVC near Daysland

New judge appointed to Edmonton Provincial Court

School bus rear ended in Okotoks

‘Tis the season for Checkstops

Missing Okotoks man located in medical distress

Seasonal Checkstops begin in Airdrie area

Home invasion in Beiseker

Fort McMurrray stabbing suspect faces charges

Youth faces charges in High River armed robberies

Two charged with Penhold robberies

Clearing the road to safety on Alberta highways

Saddle Lake pedestrian fatality

Plane incident at Chestermere Lake

Drugs, cash, and weapons seized in ALERT Calgary bust

Drug house shuttered in Calgary

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Abduction, Robbery and Sexual Assault in Red Deer

RCMP Alberta Media Relations

On December 3, 2014 at approximately 12:20 am a 20 year old female was leaving her place of employment, a hotel, on gasoline alley in Red Deer. A lone male came to her drivers side door and brandished a knife. The male forced the female to get in the passenger seat and they departed. The male drove to the Westerner grounds and then to the CIBC situated on 22nd Street in Red Deer where he brought the female into the vestibule and coerced her to withdraw money from her account at knife point. The male took the female to a rural location near Penhold where he sexually assaulted her. The male then drove the female back to Red Deer and dropped her off at a convenience store in the Inglewood area of Red Deer. The male left with the female's vehicle. The RCMP were contacted and an immediate investigation was undertaken to identify this perpetrator.

On December 03, 2014 at approximately 08:20 a.m. the female's 2014 Hyundai Tucson was recovered on the west side of gasoline alley in a construction site.

The Blackfalds RCMP are continuing the investigation into these serious crimes.

The suspect is a white male with brown/blonde hair, cut short on the sides and longer on the top. He was wearing a black jacket. black touque, black dress shoes and blue jeans. He has black ink tattoos on both of his biceps. A composite sketch of the suspect is attached.

This suspect has not been captured so RCMP are urging females to be vigilant when out at night and when possible to be accompanied to their vehicles if leaving work later at night.

If any person has information on these serious crimes or the identity of the male suspect they are asked to contact the Blackfalds RCMP at 403-885-3300 or Crimestoppers.

Fatal MVC near Daysland

On December 4, 2014 at 2:35 pm the Killam RCMP were dispatched to a fatal motor vehicle collision approximately 1 km west of Daysland on Hwy 13. Various emergency services from Flagstaff County also attended the scene.

Investigation has revealed that a 2013 Dodge Avenger was headed east bound on Highway 13. The driver,  a 26 year old male from the Lloydminster area, crossed the centre line and went into the path of an west bound Toyota Sienna minivan, resulting in a head on collision.

The driver of the Toyota Sienna was transported to the Daysland hospital where he was pronounced deceased. A female passenger of the Toyota Sienna was also taken to the Daysland hospital and treated for minor injuries. The driver of the Dodge Avenger was transported to the Daysland hospital where he is in stable condition.

As a result of this collision Highway 13 was shut down from 2:35 pm 7:15 pm. Traffic was detoured around the scene as the RCMP conducted their investigation.

The name of the deceased male and injured male will not be released.

New judge appointed to Edmonton Provincial Court

Government of Alberta

Greg Lepp, Q.C., was appointed to Edmonton Provincial Court, Criminal Division, effective December 4.

Lepp graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School – York University in 1981. He was admitted to the Saskatchewan bar the following year and served as a Crown Prosecutor in Regina until 1988. Lepp began a lengthy career in special prosecutions in Alberta that year, first as a Crown Prosecutor, where he specialized in the prosecution of high-profile economic crime cases. Lepp moved from Director of Special Prosecutions in 2006 to become the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service, a position he held until his appointment to the bench.

“Mr. Lepp’s leadership and advice over the years as Assistant Deputy Minister of Justice and Solicitor General have been invaluable. He is well-respected among his peers in the legal profession for his commitment to upholding and promoting the principles of justice and his involvement in initiatives that advance the innovation and accessibility of the justice system. I am confident he will serve in his new role with great distinction.” - Jonathan Denis, Q.C., Minister of Justice and Solicitor General

Lepp has represented Alberta on many national and international prosecution committees and has lectured across Canada and the United States. He is an involved member of the judge-led Court Case Management Program, which aims to improve access to justice and the efficiency of the criminal justice system in Alberta.

The Alberta Judicial Council screens all candidates for Provincial Court appointments and forwards a list of recommended applicants to the Provincial Court Nominating Committee. The committee then interviews candidates from the list and recommends the names of those appointees felt to be of the highest calibre to the Minister of Justice and Solicitor General.

The Provincial Court Nominating Committee was established in 1999. The 11 members are appointed by the Minister of Justice and represent the Alberta Provincial Court, the Law Society of Alberta, the Canadian Bar Association (Alberta Branch), and other members from the legal profession and the public. The Judicial Council has representatives from the Alberta Provincial Court, Court of Queen’s Bench, Court of Appeal and the Law Society of Alberta. It also includes two people appointed by the Minister of Justice and Solicitor General.

School bus rear ended in Okotoks

RCMP Okotoks

On December 3 shortly after 8:00 am a School Bus carrying 25 students was rear-ended by a car at the intersection of Woodburn Cres. and Woodburn Drive. The Bus Driver had braked to allow a vehicle in front of her to make a left hand turn.  The male driver, in a Pontiac G6, was following too closely behind the bus to stop. He struck the rear bumper of the Bus.

None of the children, who ranged in age from 6 to 17, were injured. Neither the Bus Driver or the Pontiac Driver sustained any injuries. Another School Bus was dispatched to pick up the children and deliver them to school. The Driver of the Pontiac was charged with "Following too close".

 

Police are reminding drivers to take extra care around School zones and School Buses.

‘Tis the season for Checkstops

Government of Alberta

Impaired Driving Statistics in Alberta, 2013

December is impaired driving month under Alberta’s Traffic Safety Plan. On average each year, nearly 90 Albertans are killed and more than 1,300 are injured in collisions involving a drunk driver.

“Impaired driving negatively impacts society and Albertans need to say enough is enough. Each holiday season, families are devastated by impaired driving and it has to stop. Everyone should consider safe options to get home this holiday season to prevent these senseless tragedies." - Wayne Drysdale, Minister of Transportation

Impaired driving, whether through alcohol or drugs, may result in a criminal record and cost you your freedom, your dignity, your job, and even your life or the life of a loved one.

“As a society we have to resolve that even one death from impaired driving is too many and we all have a part to play in keeping our roads safe. Don’t drink and drive, and don’t let friends or relatives drink and drive.” - Supt. Howard Eaton, Officer in Charge, RCMP “K” Division Traffic Services

  

Impaired Driving Facts:

• Between 2009 and 2013, nearly 90 people each year were killed and more than 1,300 people were injured annually in collisions involving a driver who drank alcohol.
• As the severity of the collision increases, so does the likelihood that alcohol was a factor.
• Those 18 to 21 years of age were most likely to have been drinking before a collision, with male drivers three times more likely than female drivers to have consumed alcohol before a collision.
• Most casualty collisions involving alcohol happen on weekends, and the most likely time period is between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m.
• On average, 8,600 people are convicted of impaired driving in Alberta each year.

Missing Okotoks man located in medical distress

Okotoks RCMP

On December 3, 2014 at approximately 7:00 pm a male was reported missing from his residence in the Ranch Road area of Okotoks. The 57 year old male was last seen around 10:15 am. Family members were worried as the male had left the residence with a mountain bike. Temperatures dropped to -8 degrees Celsius overnight.

The Okotoks RCMP conducted an extensive search and rescue effort. 18 hours after he was last seen, at approximately 4:00 am this morning, RCMP officers located the missing male in a wooded section located near a walking path between Ranch Road and Milligan Drive. He was in serious medical distress. With the assistance of Fire and EMS personnel, the male was extracted and rushed to hospital.

Seasonal checkstops begin in Airdrie area

RCMP Airdrie

Throughout the month of December, members of the Airdrie Integrated Traffic Unit, which is comprised of RCMP Traffic Services and Alberta Sheriffs, will once again be teaming up with the Airdrie RCMP and Calgary Police Service in efforts to combat impaired driving throughout the Airdrie and Calgary area.   Joint Forces Check Stops will be held to coincide with the National Impaired Driving Enforcement Campaign.

Reducing the devastating consequences of impaired driving, whether by alcohol or drugs, is one of the top priorities for the RCMP and the ITU throughout the entire year. Enforcement efforts will be increased over the holiday season to detect people driving under the influence and remove them from the highways in an attempt to make our roadways safer.  Statistics complied by Alberta Transportation indicate that from 2008 to 2013, 471 people were killed and 7397 people were injured in collisions involving at least one driver who had consumed alcohol prior to the crash.

 

Impaired driving is a crime and will be treated as such. Driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol and refusing to comply with a demand for breath samples, physical tests or to provide bodily fluid samples is a criminal offence. Drivers who are suspected of drug impairment may be asked to complete the Standard Field Sobriety Tests (SFST), which check for divided attention impairment. These tests help give an officer the reasonable and probable grounds to then ask for a drug recognition investigation. It is important for drivers to remember that you do not have to be legally drunk to be charged with impaired driving.

 

Impaired driving imposes enormous costs on our society. Families, the health care costs, the legal system, insurance rates and the general public are all negatively impacted and all pay the price for impaired driving. Drivers who drink and drive may kill or injure themselves, their own family members or friends or entire families, resulting in very serious legal, financial, social and other consequences. Reducing impaired driving on Alberta's Highways will save lives, prevent injuries and lower insurance costs.

 

During the holiday season and throughout the year, drivers are reminded:

• If you plan to drink, plan not to drive. By planning alternate transportation such as public transit, taxi-cabs, or a designated driver you can help ensure that everyone arrives at their destination safely.
• Alcohol affects people in different ways due to factors such as diet, fatigue and prescription drugs.
• If the police determine your ability to operate a motor vehicle has been impaired by alcohol or drugs, even if you Blood Alcohol Concentrations(BAC) is below 80 mg, you can be charged with impaired driving.
• The consequences of impaired driving are devastating. Not only are you risking your own life, but the lives of your family, friends and other Albertans using the highways.
• If you are caught or involved in a crash, you will be charged criminally, which will have an effect on your job and family. It's simply not worth it.
• Both drug-impaired and alcohol-impaired drivers will be treated with equal severity.

The public is encouraged to report impaired drivers by calling 911 to help prevent fatal or serious injury collisions.

 

The RCMP and it's enforcement partners are committed to improving public safety on all Alberta Highways. When motorists follow safe driving practices, they reduce the risk of death and injury to themselves and others. Be smart, Don't Drink and Drive.

Home invasion in Beiseker

RCMP Beiseker

On December 3rd 2014 RCMP were called to a rural residence near Irricana, Alberta. The incident occurred sometime throughout the night but Police were only called in at 7:45am.

Two occupants were in the basement, of the home, at the time of the incident. They have provided statements and advised the two suspects fled the home in a black SUV in an unknown direction.

The investigation is continuing, Calgary Serious Crimes Branch and Airdrie RCMP are assisting with the matter.

Police are confident this is not a random attack and are asking anyone with information to contact the Beiseker RCMP (403) 947-3420 or Crimestoppers at 1 800 222-8477 to report an anonymous tip.

Fort McMurrray stabbing suspect faces charges

RCMP Wood Buffalo

On Friday, October 31, 2014, around 6:30 am Wood Buffalo RCMP members responded to a 911 complaint of a stabbing at residence on Saunderson Avenue. Upon police arrival, it was confirmed that a Fort McMurray male had been injured due to the stabbing. The victim was transported the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre with non-life threatening injuries and has since been released. The victim and suspect were known to one another.

Amin Abdi JAMA (25), who was identified as the accused involved in this incident was arrested on November 18th. He was charged with two counts of aggravated assault, assault with a weapon and uttering threats. He has since appeared in court and was remanded in custody where he is scheduled to appear December 8, 2014.

Youth faces charges in High River armed robberies

RCMP High River

An ongoing investigation by the High River RCMP Detachment into a series of armed robberies has resulted in the arrest of a male youth from High River. The male, who cannot be named under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, stands charged with 3 counts of robbery with a weapon and 2 counts of unlawfully committing an indictable offence while disguised.

The charges are a result of 3 separate robberies that occurred on December 3rd, November 27th, and November 9th 2014, all occurring at the High River Mac's store.

RCMP would like to thank the public for their increased vigilance for these occurrences, and this arrest was directly attributed to tips from the public. The youth was held, pending an appearance in Calgary Court on Thursday December 4, 2014.

Two charged with Penhold robberies

RCMP Innisfail

On November 27th, 2014 members of Innisfail RCMP were dispatched to a report of a break and enter to a business in Penhold, Alberta.  The business reported that the premise was entered and 5 Welders were taken.   

 

On December 2, 2014 with the assistance of tips from the public,  Innisfail RCMP located one of the welders in a vehicle parked in Penhold.  Two males were arrested for Possession of Property obtained by crime.  A search of the males located items shoplifted from a nearby store.  A wallet containing a Visa, reported stolen in Erskine, Alberta was also located on one of the males.  Further investigation showed that the Visa had been used to buy numerous gift cards in the Central Alberta area.

 

A 30 year old Red Deer man has been charged with 3 counts of Possession of Property obtained by crime and 1 count of Breach of probation

 

A 29 year old Red Deer man has been charged with 2 counts of Possession of Property obtained by crime.

Clearing the road to safety on Alberta highways

Government of Alberta

Snowplows work around the clock to help keep Alberta highways clear for safe winter travel.

Winter has arrived and Alberta highway maintenance crews are ready to handle whatever Jack Frost throws their way. Since early October, maintenance contractors have been on call, prepared for the worst winter has to offer. Using satellite radar information and GPS technology to identify priorities and locate current snow plows, crews are able to mobilize and coordinate plowing faster than ever before.

“Winter driving conditions can be unpredictable. Our maintenance contractors work day and night to help keep our roads in good winter driving condition. Let’s help them out by giving them the space and time they need to work safely.” - Wayne Drysdale, Minister of Transportation

Alberta Transportation and maintenance contractors work together to clear provincial highways all winter long, monitoring road conditions 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Plowing occurs first to remove as much snow and ice as possible, then any remaining snow is treated with sand, salt or a combination of both depending on conditions.

“Snowplows have wide blades that motorists may not see because of snow clouds. When drivers are approaching a plow, it’s important to remember to slow down, keep a safe distance behind, and not to pass the plow until it pulls over or is clear to do so.” - Gene Syvenky, Chief Executive Officer, Alberta Roadbuilders & Heavy Construction Association

Drivers can do their part to help keep roads safe:

• Before heading out on the road, check road conditions at 511.alberta.ca or via Twitter @511Alberta. 511 Alberta has the most up-to-date information on road and weather conditions, including access to more than 124 highway cameras throughout the province. Users can download the 511 Alberta mobile app for free at the Apple App Store and Google Play.
• Prepare your vehicle with winter tires, an emergency kit and warm clothing for everyone on board. Allow plenty of time to get to your destination safely.
• Stay off the roads entirely when conditions warrant or when advised by the RCMP or local officials.

Facts:

• In 2013, Alberta had 16,939 collisions during the month of December, the highest number of any month that year.
• In order to properly blade off the snow and apply salt and sand to the road, snowplows drive at 50 km/h.
• Plows can’t make too much headway during heavy snowfalls or when there’s lots of blowing snow. Putting salt and sand on exposed highways is normally only effective at temperatures above -15 C and when the wind is not blowing snow onto the driving lanes.

Saddle Lake pedestrian fatality

RCMP St. Paul

Around 10:30 PM on December 3 a 26 year old female pedestrian was hit by a passing motorist on Northsouth Road several kilometers south of Highway 652 in the Saddle Lake First Nation. The woman was being dropped off at a residence and was struck by a northbound vehicle while attempting to cross the roadway. She was transported by ambulance to the St. Paul Hospital where she was pronounced deceased.

The collision is still under investigation by the St. Paul RCMP and the RCMP Collision Reconstruction unit. Alcohol does not appear to be a factor.

The names of both the deceased and the motorist are not being released at this time.

Plane incident at Chestermere Lake

RCMP Chestermere

On December 3, 2014 at around 2:20 p.m. the Chestermere Emergency Services responded to a plane reported to have tipped over partially on Chestermere Lake near John Peake Park. Chestermere RCMP contacted the Transport Canada Civil Aviation and are assisting the Transportaion Safety Board (TSB) with this investigation.

It was confirmed the pilot at the time was alone. The plane, a 2003 Ultra -light, had safely landed and was taxiing near the shore line when one ski fell through soft ice causing the prop to strike the ice. The pilot was not injured. As the plane sustained only minor damages to the prop and a ski repairs will be made on scene.

The 67 year old male pilot is from Calgary and has been flying for over 25 years.

This matter is defined as an "Aviation Reportable Incident" by the Transportation Safety Board. The Chestermere RCMP are continuing to investigate but charges are not anticipated.

Drugs, cash, and weapons seized in ALERT Calgary bust

ALERT

An investigation between RCMP and Calgary Police Service, under the umbrella of Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT), has resulted in the seizure of a quarter million dollars’ worth of drugs and 51 criminal charges against a Calgary couple.
Three search warrants were executed in Calgary on November 27. The search warrants concluded a short-term investigation into the alleged drug trafficking activities of Taylor Zanoni, 23, and Kayla Wright, 30.

The search warrants netted a wide variety of drugs worth an estimated $250,000. The drugs seized included:
·488 grams of cocaine
·390 grams of methamphetamine
·229 grams of heroin
·319 ml of GHB
·358 pills of Fentanyl
·35 grams of cannabis resin
·2.25 kilograms of Phenacetin

One of the residences, an apartment in the Mission neighbourhood, was being used as a cocaine conversion lab with cocaine being cooked into crack. A hydraulic cocaine press was seized from the apartment along with other evidence of drug trafficking.
At an apartment along 17 Avenue, investigators found a.357 Magnum revolver with the serial number defaced. Ammunition and other weapons, including collapsible baton, brass knuckles, and body armour, were seized in the totality of the search warrants.

ALERT also seized cash and cars with more than $30,000 in cash proceeds of crime and two luxury model SUVs now being submitted to the province’s civil forfeiture office.

Both Zazoni and Wright were arrested at a downtown condominium. Zazoni is being charged with 33 criminal offences and Wright is facing 18 charges. Charges are mostly related to drugs, but include weapons offences, proceeds of crime, and breach of recognizance.

Drug house shuttered in Calgary

ALERT
A problem property in Calgary's Forest Lawn community has been closed following a joint investigation between Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) and Calgary Police Service (CPS).

ALERT's Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) team initiated the investigation in mid-October, following numerous complaints from concerned neighbours about drug activity and associated violence. The home is located in the 1800-block of 39 Street southeast.
CPS District 4 Special Duties team assisted with the investigation and executed a search warrant at the home on November 13, and later issued an order to evict the residents on November 27. A number of weapons, including a sawed-off shotgun, were seized from the home, along with small amounts of crack cocaine.

One person, a 51-year-old man, was arrested and charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of stolen property, possession of a weapon contrary to prohibition order, and being unlawfully at-large.

The investigation concluded on November 27 when City of Calgary building inspectors and Alberta Health Services conducted an inspection of the home and deemed it unfit for human habitation. The home has been boarded up and fenced off.

SCAN uses civil legislation to investigate problem properties related to drug activity, gangs, prostitution, and child exploitation. Consisting of Alberta Sheriffs members, SCAN assists local police agencies in addressing problem properties that drain police resources.

Albertans who suspect illegal activity is occurring at a property in their neighbourhood can contact SCAN online at www.alert-ab.ca/scan or toll-free at 1-866-960-SCAN (7226). All complaints are confidential. Residents are reminded never to investigate suspected problem properties on their own.

ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government to bring together the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources to tackle serious and organized crime. Nearly 400 municipal police, RCMP, and sheriffs work for ALERT.