Police arrest one man, issue warrant for second in pharmacy robberies

The Edmonton Police Service’s Robbery Section has arrested one male and is searching for a second suspect in a series of south side pharmacy robberies.

Tyson Shaw, 24, was arrested on Feb 5, 2021 in relation to a robbery series involving several Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacies and one cannabis shop in recent months.  He was charged with robbery (x7), disguised with intent (x6), possession of an offensive weapon dangerous to the public (x8), use of imitation firearm while committing an indictable offense and assault with a weapon.

A second suspect has been identified as Korson Skelhorn, 26. Skelhorn is described as 5’9” tall, weighing approximately 170 lbs, with brown eyes and black hair.

Wanted: Korson Skelhorn, 26

A warrant has been issued for Skelhorn’s arrest. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.p3tips.com/250.

Background

Between Dec. 21, 2020 and Jan. 6, 2021, four Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacies and one cannabis shop were the target of armed, violent robberies. The suspects reportedly used a variety of weapons, including an imitation handgun. In one of the occurrences, pepper spray was discharged at witnesses.

The robberies occurred on:

• Dec. 21, 2020 at 8:45 p.m. at the Shoppers Drug Mart at 6290 199 Street
• Dec. 28, 2020 at 9:50 p.m. at the Shoppers Drug Mart at 5990 Mullen Way
• Jan. 2, 2021 at 10:06 p.m. at Plant Life Cannabis at 10185 186 St
• Jan. 4, 20121 at 9:53 p.m. at Shoppers Drug Mart at 1024 Webber Greens Drive
• Jan. 6, 2021 at 10:35 p.m. at Shoppers Drug Mart 11120 Ellerslie Road

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Five arrested, weapons and drugs seized at northwest Edmonton residence

The Edmonton Police Service has arrested five individuals on 35 outstanding warrants and laid 19 new charges following the execution of a search warrant at a northwest Edmonton residence last week.

In January 2021, the EPS Alberta Avenue BEATS team initiated an investigation into suspected drug dealing activities at a residential property in the neighbourhood. On Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, the BEATS team, the EPS Tactical Unit and the EPS Canine Unit executed a search warrant at the residence in the area of 112 Avenue and 93 Street. Five individuals, two males and three females, were arrested as a result. During the search of the residence, police located drugs, firearms, replica firearms, ammunition, body armour and cash, including:

• 26.5 grams methamphetamine (estimated street value $2650)
• 1911 handgun
• Sawed off .22 calibre rifle
• GSG-16 firearm
• two airsoft firearms
• Body armour
• Approximately $2000 in cash
• Cellphone
• A variety of items consistent with the sale of controlled substances
  
  

Photos of some of the items seized are included below.

Kasey Hetherington, 23, Rayannen Anderson 25, Michelle Smith, 54, and Saydie Desjarlais, 24, were all taken into custody for a total of 34 outstanding warrants, including theft over $5,000, possession of stolen property over $5,000, break and enter, fraud under $5,000, theft under $5,000, possession of someone else’s identity document and failure to attend court.

David Simard, 28, was also taken into custody on an outstanding warrant for failing to comply with a probation order and is now facing 19 additional charges including, possess prohibited firearm (x6), possess body armour without valid permit, possess stolen property under $5,000 (x2), possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of firearm knowing possession is unauthorized.

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Police seek assistance to ID suspects in robbery series

The Edmonton Police Service’s Robbery Section is warning the public and seeking tips in a violent robbery series.

Between July 2020 and February 2021, at least 14 armed, violent robberies or attempted robberies have occurred at pharmacies, cell phone stores and a jewelry/antique store.

In most of the robberies, multiple suspects reportedly enter the store, produce a weapon (usually a knife or bear spray) and bind the staff’s hands with plastic bags or tape. In one instance, it was reported that the suspects physically assaulted the staff, causing minor injuries.

The suspects are targeting large quantities of narcotics, including Cotridin, Percocet, Oxycodone, and other opioids, as well as new cell phones and cash. Investigators believe that a large group of at least 10 associated individuals are responsible for the robberies.

Six males have been arrested and charged in relation to several of the robberies, but police believe there are more suspects involved. Akok Aken, 19; Aken Aken, 18; Bradley Smith, 25; Malith Yom 18; Mahad Ibrahinadan, 20; and one youth were all charged with robbery, forcible confinement, disguise with intent to conceal and possession of a dangerous weapon.

“The most useful evidence we’ve had so far has been from locations with high quality video surveillance systems,” says Det. David Green, with EPS Robbery Section. “In addition to that, we recommend that pharmacies talk to their staff about remaining vigilant, trusting their instincts, and if your store is one that requires patrons to scan or be buzzed in, do not admit people who are behaving in a suspicious manner. This could include carrying suspicious items, like bags or tape, attempting to hide their identity, attempting to enter in groups, and loitering outside or surveilling the store.”

Store and pharmacy staff are advised never to confront suspects, but to try to observe as much as possible, including suspect and vehicle descriptions, and call police as soon as they are able.

   

Suspect images captured on store surveillance cameras

 

Surveillance video from an attempted robbery at a jewellery and antique store that occurred on Feb. 9, 2021

Anyone with information about the suspect’s identities is asked to come forward by contacting the EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.p3tips.com/250.

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TRAP already having significant impact in 2021; 50 stolen vehicles & trailers recovered over last five weeks

Only five weeks into 2021 and the EPS Targeted Response to Auto-Theft Prevention team (TRAP) has already recovered 50 stolen vehicles and trailers valued at more than $1.3M from city streets.

“We’re only just over a month into 2021 and already TRAP teams have made a significant impact in helping to keep the streets of our city a bit safer,” stated EPS Sgt. Ian Strom. “We’re always busy this time of year, especially when the dreaded deep freeze arrives. That’s when citizens sometimes take unnecessary risks by leaving their vehicles idling, often with keys in them.”

In its most recent arrest, at approximately 10 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, Southwest Division Patrol members located a stolen 2005 Toyota Matrix parked in the area of 112 Street and 73 Avenue. The vehicle was stolen from a nearby residence, after it was left idling with the keys in the ignition.

Members of the EPS Targeted Response to Auto-Theft Prevention team (TRAP) were contacted and took over surveillance of the stolen vehicle. Two male suspects eventually entered the vehicle and sped away, before parking in the Blue Quill neighbourhood near 113 Street and 31 Avenue. The two suspects were subsequently arrested and taken into custody by TRAP and Canine Unit members.

Upon arrest, EPS members also discovered that the accused had attempted to discard a backpack that contained B&E tools over a nearby fence and a loaded, sawed-off shotgun under a nearby vehicle.

Dean Carlton, 29 (driver) and Jacob Lien, 24 are facing numerous possession of stolen property, B&E tools, weapons (bear spray), firearm charges and breach of conditions.

So far in 2021, EPS TRAP members have arrested 57 individuals and laid close to 500 charges.

Most incidents are occurring on weekdays during peak commuting times, from Monday to Friday, between 5 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., while citizens are preparing to travel or stopping on the way to their places of employment. Thefts of idling vehicles have also been reported to EPS involving food delivery services. Delivery drivers have left their vehicles idling and unattended, while picking up or delivering food to customers.

Click here to view the EPS Theft of Idling Vehicle commercial currently being broadcast on Edmonton television stations: https://tinyurl.com/yyzrj72e

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Two charged in carfentanil, firearms seizure

One man and one woman are facing a total of 33 charges in connection to one of the largest carfentanil seizures Edmonton has ever seen.

Carfentanil seized

Over the past month, the EPS Firearms Investigation Unit (FIU) became aware that the suspects were in possession of illegal firearms and were involved in drug trafficking.

On Feb. 3, 2021, EPS Tactical conducted a vehicle stop and arrested Greg Lafleur, 37. A search of the vehicle revealed carfentanil, cocaine, methamphetamine and $1980 CAD.

Samantha Whitrow, 34, was arrested later the same day at a Belle Rive area address. A search warrant executed at the residence resulted in the seizure of carfentanil, cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA, and ketamine, as well as $65,000 CAD, one loaded Glock 9mm handgun with the serial number defaced, and numerous loose rounds of ammunition. Police also seized two crossbows from the residence, including a small handheld crossbow that is prohibited by Canadian law.

Items seized from vehicle, residence

Total drugs seized in the investigation amounted to:

• Methamphetamine: 5586 grams, with an estimated street value of $147,517
• Carfentanil: 583 grams with an estimated street value of $102,588
• Cocaine hydrochloride: 477 grams with an estimated street value of $26,873
• MDMA: 222 grams with an estimated street value of $11,725
• Ketamine: 191 grams with an estimated street value of $9,550

 

Gregory Lafleur, 37, is facing 24 charges, including possession for the purpose of trafficking (x8), as well as a number of firearms offences and failure to comply with recognizance charges.

Samantha Whitrow, 34, is facing 9 charges, including possession for the purpose of trafficking (x5), as well as a number of firearms offences.

“Firearms investigations are often connected to the illegal drug trade, so our officers frequently deal with drug seizures, but this one was exceptional,” says Sgt. Eric Stewart, with the EPS Firearms Investigation Unit. “This is, to our knowledge, the second largest seizure the EPS has ever seen of the highly potent opioid known as carfentanil, and we’re glad we were able to seize this dangerous drug before it made it to Edmonton streets.”

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Man charged with murder in disappearance of Billie Johnson

The Edmonton Police Service has arrested and charged a male in the disappearance of Billie Johnson. 

Kenneth Courtorielle, 35, was arrested on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021 in St. Albert with the assistance of RCMP. He has been charged with second degree murder in the death of Billie Johnson, 30, who was reported missing on Dec. 28, 2020. Courtorielle and Johnson were known to each other.

“Courtorielle has been a person of interest since the beginning of this investigation,” says S/Sgt Colin Leathem, EPS Homicide Section. “Following an extensive investigation, Homicide Section has compiled overwhelming evidence based on forensics, witness interviews, and information about Billie herself – including how engaged and connected to others she was, and how very out of character her disappearance was – to conclude that she is, unfortunately, deceased, and that Kenneth Courtorielle is responsible for her death.”

Homicide Section continues to search for Johnson’s body, and is asking rural landowners in the areas surrounding Edmonton to check their properties and contact police immediately at 780-423-4567 if they notice anything suspicious. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.p3tips.com/250.

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EPS now recruiting for new Chief's Community Council

The Edmonton Police Service has redesigned its mechanisms for engaging and consulting with the community, and is now recruiting members for a more inclusive community forum focused on solving shared issues.

The new Chief’s Community Council replaces the previous EPS advisory council, and will guide police in addressing issues within vulnerable communities, and in implementing the recommendations from the EPS Commitment to Action initiative and other engagement efforts. 

 

The council will work hand-in-hand with various areas of the EPS and advise directly on the change and implementation of policy, procedure and operations. 

 

“Although the previous model provided a platform for communities to engage with police, their needs and demands outgrew the model, and it became clear that we needed to change,” says Yasin Cetin, EPS Community Relations Coordinator.  “This is a shift to a solutions-based model, so the new council will not only be helping us take action on issues as soon as possible, it will also be holding us accountable to our commitments.”

 

To be more inclusive of the many perspectives and voices that make up our city, the new council is looking to recruit community members who have experienced marginalization and discrimination, and are interested in informing the implementation of recommendations emerging from engagement efforts, and working collectively to solve issues affecting police and community.

 

The Chief’s Community Council will complement the advisory efforts of the recently announced EPS Nîsohkamâkewin Council, and the EPS Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Council.

 

Cetin adds, “We are looking for talented people from diverse backgrounds who want to make a difference in the safety of their communities.  They are going to help us keep the momentum going on the many great ideas and solutions coming out of the community, not only helping us build a better police service, but building new relationships and trust as well.”

 

For more information on the Chief’s Community Council and the application process, please visit www.edmontonpolice.ca/CCC.

 

Individuals interested in serving on the council can submit their application packages to CCC@edmontonpolice.ca.  The deadline for applications is Feb. 28, 2021.

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