Taylor Swift ticket fraud suspect charged

A woman from Edmonton is facing charges in connection to the sale of fraudulent concert tickets.

Earlier this week, the Edmonton Police Service received several reports regarding fraudulent tickets purchased for the Taylor Swift concert. Concert-goers attended the show on Aug. 4, 2015 and were turned away at the door when scanners indicated the tickets had already been used.

Police have connected six of these reports to Beckie Junkins, a 32-year-old woman from Edmonton. She was arrested without incident on Aug. 5, 2015 and is charged with fraud under $5,000 (x6) and uttering a forged document (x6).

It is reported Junkins posted concert tickets for sale on Facebook and Kijiji and made arrangements to meet with buyers in person.

From May 4 to July 27, Junkins allegedly met with six complainants throughout the city and exchanged black and white printed ticket copies for cash or electronic money transfer. Many of these ticket copies were for the same seats.

Investigation by Northeast Division officers revealed Junkins was also in possession of duplicate tickets for other events such as Mumford & Sons, Foo Fighters and Eric Church. Police believe these fraudulent tickets were also offered for sale online.

Beckie Junkins’ photo is being released because there may be additional complainants who purchased fraudulent tickets from her. Police believe Junkins sold tickets using other names.

Beckie Junkins, 32

Anyone who purchased concert tickets from this individual is encouraged to attend a divisional station and provide a statement. Bring the tickets and reference EPS File 15-112353.

The Edmonton Police Service reminds citizens to use caution when purchasing tickets or property from non-licensed vendors. 

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Hang Up and Drive: Police crackdown on distracted drivers

This week, the Edmonton Police Service issued hundreds of traffic violations during Hang Up and Drive, the first EPS big ticket event to target distracted driving on Edmonton’s roadways.

In the 24-hour enforcement blitz on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015, officers handed out 480 distracted driving violations city-wide. More than 96 per cent of these offences (463 of 480 tickets) were issued to drivers distracted by a cellular phone.

Alberta Transportation research shows that distracted drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a collision than attentive drivers.

“It can take less than a second of distraction for a tremendous, life-altering incident to occur,” says Sgt. David Green with the EPS Hit and Run Unit. “It is imperative for drivers to be alert and aware at all times when operating a vehicle.”

Police also issued nine tickets to drivers using other hand-held wireless devices and an additional three tickets to drivers operating vehicles while using GPS, reading/reviewing material and engaging in personal hygiene.

Downtown Division officers were in the area of 104 Avenue and 109 Street when they witnessed a driver brushing his teeth behind the wheel, which resulted in the distracting driving ticket for engaging in personal hygiene.

“Any distraction from the road, including makeup application, shaving, flossing or brushing your teeth is just as dangerous as any other distracting activity while behind the wheel,” said Green.

The Camrose Police Service also participated in the campaign blitz, issuing ten tickets.

The Hang Up and Drive campaign has been initiated by the EPS to reduce incidents of distracted driving in the city, and through a combination of education and enforcement, reduce the number of collisions caused by distracted driving.

 

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Male driver succumbs to injuries following fatal collision on Whyte Avenue

The male driver of a BMW involved in a fatal collision on Whyte Avenue last month died in hospital this week.

On July 8, 2015, police responded to a collision near 82 (Whyte) Avenue and 99 Street at approximately 2:15 a.m.

It was reported a BMW was travelling eastbound on 82 Avenue when it lost control east of 99 Street, striking objects on the south sidewalk before rolling over. The vehicle came to rest upside down underneath an apartment building awning near 98 Street and 82 Avenue.

The 21-year-old female passenger died on scene of the motor vehicle collision. The 30-year-old male driver was treated and transported to hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday, August 4, 2015.

Police believe speed and alcohol were factors in the collision. Charges will not be laid.

There have been 19 traffic fatalities in 17 collisions in Edmonton this year.

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Shooting in northeast Edmonton sends one to hospital

A shooting in northeast Edmonton sent one man to hospital early this morning.

At approximately 5 a.m. today (Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015), the Edmonton Police Service was called to a report of a shot fired in the area of 168 Avenue and 51 Street.

Officers located a 23-year-old male outside on the ground who had sustained a gunshot wound. The male was treated and transported to hospital where he remains at this time. His injuries appear serious and non-life threatening.  

A black sedan with three black males was seen leaving the area, travelling southbound to 167 Avenue. Police believe the vehicle may be connected to the reported shooting and are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact EPS.

Police believe this is not a random event. Northeast Division continues to investigate.

Anyone who has information about this crime is asked to call 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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West Division CAT to focus on commercial and industrial area

The Edmonton Police Service will launch its latest Community Action Team (CAT) deployment in the westend from August 5 to 8, 2015.

Various police units, along with their community partners, will spend the duration of four shifts focusing on responding to the unique needs of two diverse patrol areas within the West Division boundaries.

“The large industrial areas do present policing challenges as they are so spread out, and in some cases operate around the clock,” says Acting Sergeant Bryce Healey. “The needs of these stakeholders are often focused around property crimes such as theft or break and enter to fenced compounds.”  

On the flipside, restaurants, hotels and shopping centres often contact police to respond to a broad range of concerns, such as panhandling, suspicious persons or crimes to vehicles. For locals as well as in town for business and pleasure, these crime and disorder issues can have a ripple effect.   

“We have had a long, positive history of working with most of the hotels in the westend. We both want to ensure that out-of-town guests are not left with a negative experience when visiting our city. Often times we have to remind travellers to lock their doors and remove valuables from their vehicle – that simple reminder is often enough,” says Acting Sgt. Healey.

West Division invites all community members to a FREE barbeque from 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Officers and other resources will be available during the barbeque to answer any questions and provide additional resource material. For citizens interested in attending, there will be barbeques at two locations during the four-night crime prevention effort. The first two nights (Aug. 5-6), police will be set-up at a parking lot near 153 Street and 111 Avenue (near Jiffy Lube). The final two evenings (Aug. 7-8), police will be available in the northeast corner of Mayfield Common (near Save-On-foods). 

Civilian volunteer members of the Community Police Radio Network (CPRN) will assist police over the weekend with particular focus in and around the industrial areas. CPRN has been assisting police in the west end for over 20 years by driving around neighbourhoods and reporting suspicious vehicles, persons and incidents to police.

As the case with most CAT deployments, additional resources will attend to engage and empower members of the community. The following partners will attend the barbeque and are available to answer questions from the public:

• Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society
• Metis Child, Family and Community Services
• REACH Edmonton Council for Safe Communities
• Crime Stoppers
• NET (Neighbourhood Empowerment Team)
• CEASE (Centre to End All Sexual Exploitation)
• City of Edmonton Parks and Recreation
• Edmonton Public School (Mayfield representative)  

 

The CAT deployments are part of the EPS Violence Reduction Strategy and have been successful in reducing crime and disorder in communities across the city.  For specific details and information about the Community Action Team (CAT) or the Violence Reduction Strategy, visit http://ift.tt/1t2coBg.

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EPS officers build positive relationships with city's African-Canadian youth

Edmonton Police Service officers and youth from the city's African-Canadian community are connecting and building positive relationships through the Police and Youth Engagement Program (PYEP).

"PYEP aims to bring police and youth together, remove misconceptions on both sides, build trust, and create a safe and comfortable environment in which dialogue can occur," said Hawa Barud, PYEP Coordinator.

This allows youth to become ambassadors within their own respective communities, while expanding police knowledge about certain ethno-cultural communities and the issues that affect them.

Barud adds, "It also allows youth to foster positive relationships with the police that can overcome previously held negative opinions about police and their role in the community.  As a previous participant and a person from one of the ethno-cultural communities, my experience has given me a greater understanding of the importance of discourse between youth and Edmonton police."

In its second year, PYEP has shown that cultivating positive relationships between youth and police is a successful tactic in developing youth leadership skills and for keeping youth away from crime.

Approximately 38 youths, ages 14 to 17 years, from the city's emerging African-Canadian communities are participating in PYEP from Aug. 4 to 8, 2015.  The youth represent the Sudanese, Somali, Ethiopian, Eritrean, and Oromo communities.

Participants get a behind-the-scenes look at policing in Edmonton, receive specialized training, and develop skills in communication, problem-solving and community capacity building.   

"PYEP is a platform for police to engage with Edmonton’s ethno-cultural youth and initiate a positive connection," says Acting Sgt. Harpreet Jhinjar with the EPS Community Operations Support Unit.  "Engaging with the youth is an essential part in establishing and building long-term relationships with these communities."

PYEP is offered free of charge to participants through the support of the Edmonton Police Service, Edmonton Police Foundation, the Tembo Committee, the City of Edmonton, and REACH Edmonton.

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Collision leaves two people dead

EPS Traffic Section members have been investigating a collision since early this morning that left a male and female dead.

At approximately 3:06 a.m. today (Sunday, Aug. 2, 2015) the driver of a Toyota Camry travelling east on Yellowhead Trail, observed an RCMP Checkstop positioned at 17 Street and made a U-turn, heading westbound against traffic on Yellowhead Trail.

Shortly after, the Toyota Camry collided head on with a Mercedes Benz SUV travelling east bound. The Camry was found on its roof in the green space between the east and west bound lanes of Yellowhead Trail, at approximately 35 Street.   The Toyota also collided with a Chevrolet Cobalt that was also travelling eastbound on Yellowhead Trail.

The 21-year-old male driver of the Camry and a 21-year-old female passenger located in the rear seat were pronounced deceased on scene. A 22-year-old male occupying the front passenger seat sustained severe injuries and was treated and transported to hospital.

The 33-year-old male driver of the Mercedes SUV sustained severe injuries, and was treated and taken to hospital. The 23-year-old female driver of the Cobalt was also treated and taken to hospital as a precaution for a less severe injury.

Due to the circumstances involved, ASIRT has been directed to conduct a review of the EPS investigation by the Director of Law Enforcement.

Speed and alcohol are considered to be factors in this collision. All involved drivers and passengers were found to be wearing seatbelts at the time of the collision.

These are Edmonton’s 17^th and 18^th traffic fatalities of 2015.

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