EPS investigating fatal collision on Highway 2 north of Gateway Park

The Edmonton Police Service Major Collision Investigation Section is investigating a fatal collision involving an ambulance and a pedestrian just north of Gateway Park on Highway 2.

Details are limited at this time (5:25 a.m.), though EPS members were initially dispatched to the collision scene at approximately 4:40 a.m. this morning, Friday, June 17, 2016.

Motorists travelling northbound on Highway 2 as you enter the city are being rerouted onto 41 Avenue SW until further notice.

Additional details about this fatal collision will be communicated when they become available.  

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

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Police investigate two personal robberies at ATMs

Edmonton Police Service Southeast Division detectives are investigating two personal robberies that occurred this week at ATMs.

On Tuesday, June 14, 2016, a complainant reported that they attended an ATM at a bank just before 7 p.m. in the area of 91 Street and 51 Avenue. They were approached by a suspect who allegedly brandished a weapon, demanded the complainant’s wallet, and then stole their vehicle, fleeing the scene.

The stolen vehicle is described as a grey, 1996 Plymouth Voyager with an Alberta licence plate FAS362.

The complaint did not sustain any injuries.

Later that same evening at 7:40 p.m., police responded to another personal robbery at an ATM in the area of 53 Avenue and 75 Street. It was reported a suspect followed the complainant to the ATM, allegedly produced a weapon, and demanded cash be withdrawn from the machine.  The then suspect fled the area with an undisclosed amount of money.

Southeast Division detectives believe the two incidents are related.

The suspect is described as a Black male, with a slim build and likely between 20 and 30-years-old.

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to call 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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American man facing charges and extradition in relation to Dwayne Demkiw’s death

The Edmonton Police Service has classified the 2015 disappearance of Dwayne Demkiw as a homicide and an American man, currently in custody in the United States, is facing extradition to be prosecuted by the Attorney General of Alberta on a first degree murder charge. Dwayne Demkiw was last seen leaving his place of work in the area of 149 Street and 128 Avenue at approximately 4 a.m. on May 31, 2015. Later that morning, Demkiw’s vehicle was located burning and abandoned in Calgary.

Dwayne Demkiw’s remains were found on April 5, 2016 near Innisfail, Alberta. 

Investigation by the EPS Homicide Section connected Jason Steadman, a 41-year-old American citizen, to Demkiw’s disappearance. 

On Oct. 15, 2015, a Canada-wide warrant was issued for Jason Steadman for first degree murder and arson charges. Steadman is currently incarcerated in Washington.

The Attorney General of Alberta and the Edmonton Police Service have made a request for the extradition of Jason Steadman to Canada. Due to the ongoing extradition process, no further information regarding this investigation will be released at this time. 

Dwayne Demkiw’s death is considered Edmonton’s 19th homicide of 2015.

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EPS investigating collision between young bicyclist and garbage truck

The EPS Major Collision Investigation Section is investigating a collision involving an 11-year-old girl on a bike and a garbage truck.

The collision, which occurred at the intersection of 28 Street and 43A Avenue, was reported at approximately 8:45 a.m. today (Wednesday, June 15, 2016).

The garbage truck was facing south on 28 Street at 43A Avenue that is governed by a yield sign and waiting to make a left-hand turn onto the avenue. The cyclist was alongside the driver-side of the garbage truck, at which time the truck began to turn left, striking the bicyclist.

The girl sustained life-threatening injuries. She was treated at the scene by EMS and rushed to hospital, where she remains.

The investigation continues and no charges have been laid against the driver of the truck at this time.

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

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Elder Abuse investigation leads to charges of city cab driver

The EPS Elder Abuse Unit has charged an Edmonton taxi driver with theft over $5,000 in connection with a 2016 elder abuse investigation.

The charges were announced earlier today, Wednesday June 15^th, on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

“Similar to domestic violence, elder abuse is a crime that often goes undetected and is under-reported to police,” said Det. Alf Ma, of the EPS Senior Protection Unit, who earlier today charged Antoine Chebli, 59, with theft over $5,000 in connection with an alleged abuse of Power of Attorney responsibilities.

“Often, these crimes are perpetrated by family members or close friends, by people elderly victims trust and consider as loved ones. There are so many vulnerabilities that seniors often face, as they age.

“Trusting a loved one or friend to take care of their needs shouldn’t be one of them.”

Chebli is alleged to have stolen more than $10,000 from the complainant Lois Holland, 79, of Edmonton, between December 2014 and September 2015, after making unauthorized withdrawals from Holland’s bank account. Holland had appointed Chebli as her Power of Attorney and granted him joint access to her bank account. The complainant had initially hired the accused to be her driver, and to take her to medical appointments, to pick up groceries and various other appointments.

Last month, the EPS Elder Abuse Unit also charged a 53-year-old Edmonton man with allegedly stealing $265,000 from his 94-year-old grandmother, who had entrusted him with Power of Attorney responsibilities.

The EPS launched a public awareness campaign today that will run throughout June and the first two weeks of July, including a television commercial and social media messaging, with the goal of raising public awareness about elder abuse. Click here to view EPS Elder Abuse Awareness Commercial.
The United Nations passed a resolution designating June 15^th as the annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day back in 2011.

According to the UN, the global population of people aged 60 years of age and older is anticipated to more than double, from 542 million in 1995 to about 1.2 billion in 2025.

The UN also estimates between four to six per cent of elderly people have experienced some form of maltreatment at home.

Elder maltreatment can lead to serious physical injuries and long-term psychological consequences. The incidence of abuse towards the elderly is predicted to increase as many countries are experiencing rapidly aging populations.

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EPS and CRA warn of latest telephone scam involving iTunes gift cards

The Edmonton Police Service has once again partnered with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to address the latest tactics being used by fraudulent telephone scammers claiming to be the CRA.

“Telephone phishing scams are not new to us,” says Det. Bill Allen with the EPS Economic Crimes Section. “We continue to see members of the community, of no specific demographic, fall victim to this crime.”

Over the last few months, police have received countless reports of this latest scam which allegedly demands an individual pay CRA with pre-purchased iTunes gift cards.

“The CRA would never request payment by gift cards,” says Randy Westerman, Communications Manager with Canada Revenue Agency’s Prairie Region.

Westerman says there are a number of ways members of the public can verify the validity of a phone call, but emphasized that CRA does not conduct business in the following ways:         

• ask for personal information of any kind by email or text message
• request payments by prepaid credit/gift cards
• give taxpayer information to another person, unless formal authorization is provided by the taxpayer
• send an email with a link and ask you to divulge personal or financial information
• leave personal information on an answering machine

Complainants have reported that they have received calls from people claiming to work with Canada Revenue Agency. The fraudulent callers have stated that individuals have not filed their taxes appropriately, and that they owe the government additional money. Callers have then allegedly made threats of issuing warrants for their arrest, jail time, and even loss of immigration status and deportation.

“These individuals are persistent and will use virtually any scare tactic they believe will allow them to get into people’s wallets,” says Det. Allen. “Scammers will go as far as telling you that police will show up at your door and arrest you - which is absolutely untrue.”

Following the fear factor, instructions are then given to purchase iTunes gift cards in specified values. The complainants are then told to provide the information on the back of the gift cards. These iTunes gift cards have been purchased from various retailers across the city, including grocery stores and home hardware stores.

“Retailers selling gift cards should also be aware of these scams,” says Det. Allen. “We are currently investigating a file where a woman was convinced she owed the CRA $22,000. The woman visited two grocery stores and purchased $10,000 worth of iTunes gift cards at the first location and then purchased and additional $12,000 in iTunes gift cards at the second location. The woman then sent photos of the cards to the scammers.”

Westerman says CRA are aware of the scams and direct taxpayers to their website for further information.

If you have already sent funds to a potential fraudster, please visit a community station to file a complaint or contact the Edmonton Police Service at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at http://ift.tt/1az8Eve.

For more information, visit the CRA’s website and contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-654-9426 or email info@antifraudcentre.ca.

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Manslaughter charge laid in 2015 death of gas station clerk

The Edmonton Police Service has laid a charge of manslaughter in relation to the October 2015 death of a gas station clerk.

On Friday, Oct. 23, 2015 at approximately 3:30 p.m., Southeast Division officers responded to a call of trouble not known at a gas station in the area of 75 Avenue and 50 Street. It was reported a male customer at the gas station was involved in a physical dispute with a male employee. EMS treated and transported the employee to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

On Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015, the employee died in hospital. An autopsy determined Surinder Pal Singh, 61, died as a result of head trauma. The EPS Homicide Section took over the investigation.

The male customer involved in the altercation, 34-year-old Douglas Joseph Chestnut, was charged with manslaughter on Wednesday, June 8, 2016.

Surinder Pal Singh’s death was Edmonton’s 19^th homicide in 2015.

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