Over 3,200 traffic violations issued during “Big Ticket Event”

Edmonton Police Service officers and City of Edmonton automated enforcement handed out a total of 3,236 traffic violations last week during Operation 24 Hours.

The 24-hour enforcement period took place on Wednesday, June 27, 2018. Of the total 3,236 traffic violations, 2,561 were solely related to speed. There were also 675 violations for seatbelt infractions, distracted driving and other Traffic Safety Act violations. 

 

During the operation, police stopped a motorist travelling 108 km/h in a 60 km/h zone in the area of 167 Avenue and 88 Street and also caught a motorist travelling 98 km/h in a 50 km/h on the low level bridge.

 

“Speeding continues to be a major issue,” says Staff Sergeant Kevin Berge with the EPS Traffic Section. “As the long weekend approaches, we’d like to remind motorists to be safe out there and drive with care.”

 

The Edmonton Police Service and the City of Edmonton coordinate regular enforcement campaigns throughout the year (such as Operation 24 Hours) to improve traffic safety on Edmonton’s roadways.

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Investigators charge 54-year-old male in connection to recent homicide

The EPS Homicide Section has arrested and charged a 54-year-old male in connection to the shooting death of a male in Northwest Edmonton earlier this week.

Gilles Georges Andre Gauthier, 54, was taken into custody without incident yesterday morning (Thursday, June 28, 2018) in Calgary.

 

“We want to thank Calgary Police Service Homicide Section members for their quick response and assistance in arresting this individual,” says Staff Sergeant Bill Clark of EPS Homicide Section. 

 

Gauthier has since been charged with first degree murder.

 

Background:
At approximately 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 26, 2018, Northwest Division patrol officers responded to a home in the area of 113 Avenue and 103 Street after receiving the report of gunfire. When officers arrived, they located Darren Kevin Saile, 45, deceased inside the residence.

 

The Edmonton Medical Examiner completed an autopsy on Wednesday, June 27, 2018. It was determined the cause of death was a gunshot wound and the manner of death was deemed homicide.

 

Every file is evaluated on a case by case basis. The EPS decided to release the name of the deceased in this case, as it served an investigative purpose.

 

Anyone with information about this homicide 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.

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Tuesday’s suspicious death deemed homicide; investigation continues

The Edmonton Police Service Homicide Section continues to investigate the death of a man found dead in a residence on Tuesday.

At approximately 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 26, 2018, Northwest Division patrol officers responded to a home in the area of 113 Avenue and 103 Street after receiving the report of gunfire. When officers arrived, they located Darren Kevin Saile, 45, deceased inside the residence.

The Edmonton Medical Examiner completed an autopsy yesterday, Wednesday, June 27, 2018, and it was determined the cause of death was a gunshot wound and the manner of death was deemed homicide.

Investigators do not have any suspects in custody at this time and continue to investigate.

Every file is evaluated on a case by case basis. The EPS has decided to release the name of the deceased as it serves an investigative purpose.

Anyone with information about this homicide 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.

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Park named in honour of EPS Canine Unit founder

A park in the city’s west-end has been named in honour of the Edmonton Police Service Canine Unit’s first member and founder – Sergeant Maynard “Val” Vallevand.

 

 

The City of Edmonton Naming Committee designated the park after receiving a letter from Ruth Daney, a resident of the Brittania Youngstown neighbourhood, who felt that Sgt. Vallevand’s accomplishments needed to be recognized in the community.  Ruth’s application was approved by the Naming Committee in 2016, and the park sign was installed in late 2017.

 

“Sgt. Maynard Vallevand and his police dog Sarge made an excellent team, and they dedicated their lives to fighting crime for the citizens of Edmonton,” says Ruth Daney.  “Naming the park after Vallevand is a great way of recognizing his courage, strength and leadership.”     

 

 

In 1963, Sgt. Vallevand proposed the idea of having canine teams support police investigations to Chief M.F.E. Anthony of the Edmonton Police Department.  After demonstrating the training and effectiveness of his dog Sarge in apprehending a suspect in a drug warehouse break and enter, Vallevand and Sarge were regularly utilized by police on a call-out basis, and his efforts led to the formation of the Dog Squad in 1967.     

 

“We are very proud of our Dad, his accomplishments, and how police have done so much to honour his memory,” says son David Vallevand.  “To have a park named after him through the efforts of a private citizen is very special to us.”

 

Maynard Vallevand was born in Elbow, Saskatchewan in 1924.  He was a strong, athletic, hardworking youth who joined the Canadian Army at 17 and fought as a paratrooper in World War II.  After leaving the military, Maynard studied at Ontario College before becoming a member the Ontario Provincial Police. 

 

 

In 1955, Maynard and his family moved to Edmonton where he joined the Edmonton Police Department.  At the time, he already had a great devotion to training and raising dogs, so it was no surprise he became the department’s first canine handler.  Sgt. Maynard and Monty (son of police dog Sarge) were one of the three dog teams in the original Dog Squad, and even after Vallevand retired in 1978, he continued to be involved with the Canine Unit and support its members. 

 

Maynard Vallevand passed away in 1994.  He is fondly remembered as the founder of the EPS Canine Unit, and for his many contributions, EPS named its kennel facility after him.

 

 

“Sgt. Vallevand was a well-respected officer who created a tradition of excellence in the EPS,” says Police Chief Rod Knecht.  “His spirit continues to live on in the Canine Unit, and now his name will live on in the community as well.”

 

For more information on Sgt. Vallevand or the EPS Canine Unit, please visit the EPS website.  Vallevand Park is located at 16448 – 104 A Avenue NW, and is legally described as Lot P, Block 5, Plan 4746KS, within the Britannia Youngstown Neighbourhood.

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Police charge one man in connection with bank deposit scams

A 48-year-old man has been charged in relation to a series of frauds committed at ATMs in Northeast Edmonton.

After issuing a media release containing a suspect photo on June 8, 2018, police received public tips identifying a man who was allegedly approaching people at ATMs and convincing them to withdraw money on his behalf.

 

The suspect reportedly told the victims that he had reached his withdrawal limit for the day, and asked them to deposit an empty envelope that the suspect claimed contained $800. The victims reportedly deposited the envelope, withdrew the equivalent in cash, and provided it to the suspect. 

 

Tracey Reid, 48, is charged with fraud under $5000 (x7).

 

Police continue to encourage anyone with information about this crime 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 late April and late May of this year, police received up to 16 reports of a male suspect approaching people at ATMs and convincing them to withdraw money on his behalf.

 

The locations most frequently targeted included the RBC located at 129 Manning Crossing and the RBC located at 4000 118 Avenue.

 

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Most recent suspicious death deemed a homicide; investigation continues

The EPS Homicide Section continues to investigate the death of a 36-year-old male which occurred over the weekend.

At approximately 11 p.m. on Sunday, June 10, 2018, West Division patrol officers were called to a suite in the area of 115 Avenue and 124 Street following a reported disturbance. When officers arrived they located a 36-year-old male with significant injuries.

Officers performed first-aid on the male, however he was pronounced deceased on scene by EMS.

An autopsy was completed on the deceased male yesterday, Wednesday, June 13, 2018 by the Edmonton Medical Examiner and the cause of death was determined to be a stab wound. The manner of death was deemed a homicide.

Police have not made any arrests at this time and continue to investigate.

Every file is evaluated on a case by case basis. The EPS has decided not to release the name of the deceased in this investigation at this time, as it does not serve an investigative purpose and the EPS has a duty to protect the privacy rights of the victims and their families.

Anyone with information about this suspicious death 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.

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Police investigate suspicious death of male

The Edmonton Police Service is investigating a suspicious death, after police responded to a disturbance last night in the west-end.

At approximately 11 p.m. yesterday evening, Sunday, June 10, 2018, West Division patrol officers were called to a suite in the area of 115 Avenue and 124 Street following a reported disturbance. When officers arrived they located a 36-year-old male with significant injuries.

Officers performed first-aid on the male, however he was pronounced deceased on scene by EMS.

Police have not made any arrests at this time and continue to investigate. An autopsy has yet to be scheduled.

Anyone with information about this suspicious death 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.

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Traffic Section investigating fatal motorcycle collision

The EPS Major Collision Investigation Section continues to investigate a fatal motorcycle collision which occurred overnight.

At approximately 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 9, 2018, police believe a male motorcycle driver was travelling southbound on Anthony Henday Drive at Yellowhead Trail (Exit 25) when he struck a deer crossing the east and west lanes of the highway. The driver then allegedly lost control of his motorcycle and sustained serious injuries.

 

The 36-year-old motorcycle driver was treated and transported to hospital by EMS, where he succumbed to his injuries a short time later.

 

Police do not believe impairment was a factor in this collision.

 

All southbound lanes of Anthony Henday Drive at Yellowhead Trail have since been reopened to motorists.

 

The investigation continues.

 

Anyone with information about the collision 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.

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Give thieves the gears! Properly lock up your expensive bicycles

The Edmonton Police Service is reminding cyclists to properly secure their bicycles when at home or out in public, on the heels of close to 600 stolen bikes being reported to police so far this year.

“When you consider that most bikes today cost anywhere between $500 and $1,200 on average, with high-end models costing much higher, even $2 to $3,000, it’s very important for cyclists to take the time to ensure their bikes are properly locked up,” said Const. Daniel Tallack, of the EPS Whyte Avenue Beats team.

“Unfortunately, many fail to protect these assets with a quality lock and proper storage, and consequently thieves are seen pedaling off into the distance with a smile on their faces.”

In 2016, thieves made off with more than 2000 bikes from back yards, garages, playgrounds and schools across the city. In 2017, a total of 2,171 bikes were snatched by thieves. While YTD stats until June 4^th, between 2016 and 2018, show a decline in the number of bikes being stolen over the last couple of years (see numbers below), complainants of stolen bikes continue to keep police extremely busy.

“For the cost of a solid U-shaped lock, cyclists can lower the odds of losing their expensive asset to an opportunistic criminal,” says Const. Tallack. “And if you say to yourself, ‘Oh, I’m only going to be inside for a minute or so….what could possibly happen?’ Think again. It will only take a matter of seconds for a seasoned thief to steal a bike.”

There are multiple ways cyclists can protect themselves from becoming a victim of crime, such as recording the serial number of the bike upon purchase, a proactive step that could help police reunite a rightful owner with their bike if it is located.



Click here for additional bike protection tips

http://www.edmontonpolice.ca/trafficvehicles/bicyclesafety.aspx

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