Police investigating suspicious death

The Edmonton Police Service is investigating a suspicious death of a man.

On Tuesday, June 30, 2015, Downtown Division officers responded to a report of an injured male just before 9 p.m. in the area of 95 Street and 101 Avenue.

Upon arrival, police found 51-year-old Lawrence Francis Mountain who had allegedly been assaulted. He was treated and transported to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on Thursday, July 2, 2015.

EPS Homicide Section continues to investigate Mountain’s death.

No further information is available at this time.

Anyone who has had recent contact with Mr. Mountain, or has any additional information about this incident, is asked to contact the Edmonton Police Service 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 http://ift.tt/1az8Eve.

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Police apprehend and charge two men who escaped from custody

The Edmonton Police Service has laid multiple charges against two men who escaped from police custody last night.

At approximately 11:55 p.m. on Sunday, June 5, 2015, a Commissionaire working in Southwest Division opened a cell door and was assaulted by a male detainee being held in custody. The Commissionaire sustained non-life threatening injuries from the assault.

The man proceeded to use a cell key to open the door of an adjoining cell, letting another male detainee out of the cell.

The two men ran from Southwest Division and officers immediately gave chase. The first detainee was apprehended within a few minutes at a shopping centre north of the division.

Officers completed a ground and air search of the area, set up road blocks and cordoned off the neighbourhood. The second detainee was apprehended without incident a few blocks from Southwest Division approximately an hour later.  

“Southwest officers reacted quickly to this situation and were able to apprehend the detainees without threat to public safety,” says Supt. Brad MacDonald. “The Edmonton Police Service is now conducting an operational review of the incident to determine where improvements in detainee management can be made, if necessary.”

Police believe the two men were not known to each other. Both were in custody for violent offences.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Blair Letendre, 30, is charged with escape lawful custody, assault peace officer causing bodily harm, choking to overcome resistance, prison breach and permitting an escape. Clayton Carter, 22, is charged with escape lawful custody.

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Big ticket event hands out over 2,800 violations

More than 2,800 traffic tickets were issued this week by Edmonton Police Service officers and City of Edmonton automated enforcement during the June 2015 Operation 24 Hours.

In the 24-hour period of the enforcement campaign, which took place on June 30, 2015, 2,527 speeding violations were issued. There were 281 additional violations, including seatbelt infractions, impaired driving, distracted driving, traffic safety violations and Criminal Code violations.

“Public safety is our number one priority,” said Staff Sergeant Randy Loxterkamp with the Specialized Traffic Operation Section. “The overall focus of this campaign is to reduce collisions and keep the Edmonton roadways as safe as possible.”

There were a total of 2,808 tickets issued for the June 2015 Operation 24 Hours, which is an increase from the 2,259 tickets issued during the April 2015 enforcement initiative.

The Edmonton Police Service and the City of Edmonton Office of Traffic Safety coordinate many educational and enforcement initiatives such as Operation 24 Hours throughout the year to improve traffic safety on the city’s street.

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11-year-old girl and two suspects found in Ontario

The two suspects in connection to an alleged abduction of an 11-year-old girl were arrested by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) today.

The two suspects, Andrew O’Coin, 33, and Maryanne Blanchfield, 24, were arrested shortly after 5 p.m. MST in Kenora, Ontario on Sunday, July 5, 2015. It is reported that a citizen called police after spotting the two suspects and the young girl in a local restaurant. 

The 11-year-old girl is safe and unharmed. The OPP has the two suspects in custody. 

The Edmonton Police Service would like to thank all media outlets, Canadian police agencies and citizens for sharing this information and assisting police to locate the missing girl and two suspects. 

Kindly remove the photo and name of the 11-year-old girl for her privacy as she is a minor. 

Charges are pending as the Edmonton Police Service continues to investigate. 

Background:

Edmonton Police Service Child Protection Section detectives are requesting the public’s assistance in locating two suspects in connection to an abduction of a child.

On Saturday, July 4, 2015 police responded to a report of a child abduction around 4:20 a.m. in West Division.  It is reported that an 11-year-old child had arrangements to visit her father on Friday, July 3, 2015 however the father and child were not present at the specified pick up time later that evening.

Police are asking for assistance in locating Andrew O’Coin, 33, and Maryanne Blanchfield, 24 in connection to the alleged abduction of an 11-year-old girl.

Andrew O’Coin is described as a 33-year-old Caucasian male, 6’1” tall and weighs about 176 lbs. He has hazel eyes and brown hair. He has tattoo of a cross on his left forearm. He may have facial hair.

The suspects and child may be using public transportation and detectives believe the suspects may leave Alberta.

Anyone with information 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 http://ift.tt/1az8Eve

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EPS asking public for assistance in child abduction

Edmonton Police Service Child Protection Section detectives are requesting the public’s assistance in locating two suspects in connection to an abduction of a child.

On Saturday, July 4, 2015 police responded to a child abduction call around 4:20 a.m.in West Division.  It is reported that an 11-year-old child had arrangements to visit her father on Saturday, July 5, 2015 however the father and child were not present at the specified pick up time.

Police are asking for assistance in locating Andrew O’Coin, 33, and Maryanne Blanchfield, 24 in connection to the alleged abduction of an 11-year-old girl.

Andrew O’Coin is described as a 33-year-old Caucasian male, 6’1” tall and weighs about 176 lbs. He has hazel eyes and brown hair. He has tattoo of a cross on his left forearm. He may have facial hair.

 

Suspect#1: Andrew O’Coin, 33

Suspect #2: Maryanne Blanchfield, 27

D’Arci O’Coin is an 11-year-old Caucasian female is approximately 4’10, has blue-green eyes, medium length dirty blonde hair. She has uneven front teeth and a scar on the corner of her top lip. She was wearing blue/green/white plaid shorts, a blue tank top, and black Puma running shoes with purple accents.

The suspects and child may be using public transportation and detectives believe the suspects may leave Alberta.  

Anyone with information 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 http://ift.tt/1az8Eve

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Lacrosse players donate over 100 summer emergency backpacks

The Edmonton Police Service and Team Alberta Lacrosse have partnered together to create summer emergency backpacks that will be donated to the Boyle Street Community Service (BSCS) today.

At 3 p.m. today, Friday, July 3, 2015, Team Alberta will drive 120 backpacks filled with summer necessities that include toothbrushes, toothpaste, refillable water bottles, sunscreen, mosquito repellant, hats, and socks. The Edmonton Food Bank has also donated non-perishable food items for the backpacks.

“All five Team Alberta leagues (pewee, bantam, midget, bantam female, and midget female) participated in this community event,” says Sgt. Tracy Ward with the EPS Heavy Users of Service Project. “The players donated and bought items to include in these summer emergency backpacks to help the homeless population in Edmonton.”

Const. Ryan Lawley, a Community Liaison Constable with Downtown Division initiated the idea for this project.

“There are a number of backpacks that typically would be discarded if not claimed,” says Const. Lawley. “In many cases, these backpacks are still functional and can be repurposed by someone who can truly use them.”

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Sketch released to help identify suspect in random sexual assault

The Edmonton Police Service is releasing a composite sketch to the public to help identify a suspect in an alleged sexual assault that occurred in downtown Edmonton over the weekend.

On Saturday, June 27, 2015, police responded to a reported sexual assault around noon in the area of 106A Avenue and 96 Street. It is reported that a 54-year-old female was allegedly confronted outside of her residence, forced back inside her residence and sexually assaulted. The male allegedly threatened the female and stole property from her. The suspect fled southwest on foot from the residence.  

“This was a very brazen occurrence, as it happened in broad daylight,” said Detective Dave Pelech with the Sexual Assault Section. “We are looking to the public for assistance in identifying the suspect and we encourage anyone who has information to come forward.”

 

The suspect is described as a dark-complexioned male (possibly Aboriginal) approximately 29 years of age, with a gap between his upper teeth and a straight nose. He is described as 5'7" tall with a thin build and has a beard and mustache.

The suspect was last seen wearing a white T-shirt with ¾ length green sleeves with jeans and a black, straight brimmed baseball cap. His shoes were described as black high-top runners with black laces.

If you have any information about this suspect or any other crime, please contact the Edmonton Police Service Complaint Line at 780-423-4567 or the Edmonton Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your tip online at www.tipsubmit.com.

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