Police investigate alleged Saskatchewan Drive assault

The Edmonton Police Service is investigating an alleged assault on a woman that occurred late Friday night in southwest Edmonton.

Officers from Southwest Division responded to the area of 116 Street and Saskatchewan Drive after an assault allegedly occurred at approximately 11:45 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 5, 2016. It is reported a woman in her 20s was walking along Saskatchewan Drive when she was grabbed and assaulted by an unknown male. Bystanders approached to assist the woman and the man allegedly fled the area on foot.

The suspect has been described to police as a dark-skinned male, approximately 25-years-old and 5’11” tall with dark hair.

Police continue to investigate the assault; the suspect has not been identified and no arrests have been made at this time.

The woman was transported to hospital with injuries allegedly sustained during the assault. Further details regarding the injuries are not available at this time.

Anyone who has information about this crime 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 seek public’s assistance locating missing elderly man

The Edmonton Police Service is asking for the public’s help locating a missing elderly man who was last seen near EPS Southeast Division this afternoon (Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016).

James Darwith, 86, went missing from southeast Edmonton this morning. He was last seen near EPS Southeast Division (104 Youville Drive East) at approximately 12 p.m. today

Darwith is described as a Caucasian male with white hair. He was last seen wearing a red T-shirt and beige pants.

While there are no indications of foul play, there are concerns for Darwith’s well-being. He may be disoriented and/or confused.

MISSING: James Darwith, 86

Anyone who has information about this man’s 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 http://ift.tt/1az8Eve.

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Bringing police and youth together to communicate one-on-one

Edmonton Police Service officers are connecting directly with youth from Edmonton’s emerging communities this week through the Police and Youth Engagement Program (PYEP). The unique program gives youth and police officers a chance to communicate one-on-one, build positive relationships, and learn from each other.

“PYEP aims to bring police and youth together, remove misconceptions on both sides, build trust, and create a safe space where dialogue can occur,” says Timoro Mohamed, PYEP Coordinator.

PYEP allows youth to become ambassadors within their own respective communities and also expands police knowledge about certain ethno-cultural communities and the issues that affect them.  This is crucial for youth from war-torn countries such as Iraq and Syria who may have trouble connecting with community and police in Edmonton.

“It allows youth to foster positive relationships that can overcome previously held negative opinions about police and their role in the community,” says Mohamed. “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 and positive interactions between youth and the EPS.”

In its third year, PYEP has shown that cultivating positive relationships between youth and police is a successful tactic for keeping youth engaged and away from crime.

“We believe this relationship of trust will carry on in the future and inspire youth to build stronger and safer communities,” says Deputy Chief Brian Simpson.  “We want youth to be excited and empowered to make positive changes in their lives, their communities, and their futures.”

PYEP is a community-led initiative that is supported by the Edmonton Police Service, Edmonton Police Foundation, City of Edmonton, and is coordinated by REACH Edmonton.  The program is offered free of charge to youth leaders who have been selected by Tembo Edmonton from the local Syrian, Iraqi, Eritrean, Ethiopian, Sudanese, Oromo, and Somali communities.

Approximately 43 youths, ages 14 to 17 years, are participating in PYEP from Aug. 8 to 12, 2016.  Over the course of the five-day program, youth will examine community policing issues and be active in finding solutions, as well as receive leadership and police-related training.

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UAV almost collides with police helicopter

Edmonton Police Service Air 1 pilots are asking users of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to be mindful of flight regulations and potential risk to the police helicopter, after a recent near-miss.

On July 8, around 10 p.m. Air 1 was responding to a call in the downtown area when it had a near midair collision with a drone. The pilot of Air 1 was flying in a southeast direction at 1,500 feet and approximately 180-km per hour when he observed what looked like a white quadcopter-style drone with red lights. The UAV passed in the opposite direction of Air One within 50 feet.

“Had the UAV and helicopter collided, it certainly could have been catastrophic and potentially fatal for both crew members of Air 1,” says Const. Brian Griffith of the flight crew. “The Tactical Flight Officer was focused on a monitor in the cockpit yet still observed the drone in his peripheral vision which speaks to how close the UAV passed to the helicopter,” he adds.

Two other smaller UAVs were observed in the same area approximately 30 minutes later.

Transport Canada ‎has been made aware of the regulation infractions and a criminal investigation is ongoing as there are potential criminal charges, as well as charges under the Aeronautics Act.

Anyone with information related to this event is asked to call 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.

For information about UAV regulations please visit: No-drone fly zones

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Man’s death declared homicide; manslaughter charge laid against security guard

The Edmonton Police Service is investigating the death of a man over the weekend that has now been declared the city’s 29th homicide of the year. On Sunday, July 31, 2016 at approximately 4:45 p.m., police were called to the area of 107A Avenue and 96 Street after an injured male was discovered in an alley near a strip mall. Emergency Medical Services attended and the man was declared deceased at the scene. 

The man’s death did not appear suspicious at the time. An autopsy was conducted on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2016 and the Edmonton Medical Examiner determined Donald Doucette, 51, died as a result of blunt abdominal trauma.

Detectives from the EPS Homicide Section believe Doucette was assaulted and robbed in the alley late Sunday afternoon by a man who was working as a private security guard in the area. 

The security guard, Sheldon Russell Bentley, 35, was arrested on Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2016 without incident. He was charged with manslaughter and robbery. 

Police are not searching for further suspects. The victim and the accused man were not known to each other.

The name of the company the security guard was working for will not be released. 

 

Anyone who has information about this crime 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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Drugs, weapons and stolen property seized during search warrants

A man and a woman have been charged in relation to drug, weapon and stolen property offences after the Edmonton Police Service conducted two search warrants over the long weekend. During the evening of Saturday, July 30, 2016, Downtown Division officers and Tactical Section executed a search warrant on a residence in the area of 74 Street and 80 Avenue. Police seized 36 grams of methamphetamine, 96 various pills including oxycodone and morphine, drug scales, a money counter and drug bags from the house. 

A number of weapons were also seized during the search warrant, including three swords, replica firearms, a throwing star, shotgun ammunition and a crossbow. 

The investigation continued with a second search warrant executed on a residence near 153 Street and 44 Avenue during the early morning hours of Monday, Aug. 1, 2016. During the search, police located and seized 92 grams of methamphetamine, 1,356 various prescription pills, a small amount of crack cocaine, a sword, replica firearms, ammunition, approximately $5,200 cash and two stolen mountain bikes.

A man and a woman were taken into custody as they attempted to flee the residence during the second search warrant; they have been charged in connection to the investigation.  

Melanie Dolby, 45, is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking (x12), careless use of firearm/weapon/ammunition, possession of an offensive weapon dangerous to the public (x2), possession of stolen property over $5,000 (proceeds of crime), possession of stolen property under $5,000 (x2) and possession of a prohibited firearm.

Christopher Jensen, 43, is charged with the same offences, and breach of recognizance (x3).

The estimated total street value of the drugs, property and cash seized during the warrants is $72,000.

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Edmonton Police lay first charge under Quanto’s Law

The Edmonton Police Service has laid its first charge under Quanto’s Law, in addition to numerous drug and firearm offenses after man evaded police last night.

On Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2016 just before 8:15 p.m. EPS Canine Unit observed a suspicious vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed in the area of 127 Avenue and 9 Street. Police attempted to conduct a traffic stop; however the vehicle fled from police heading southbound on Anthony Henday Drive.

Air-1 quickly tracked the suspicious minivan (Dodge Caravan) and observed the vehicle driving erratically in Edmonton, Beaumont and Strathcona County for over an hour. The suspect vehicle was speeding in excess of 120 km/h at times. As the vehicle drove back into city limits, patrol members deployed a spike belt downtown near police headquarters. The vehicle came to a stop in the old Remand Centre parking lot and Canine Unit blocked the suspicious vehicle from driving off again. The driver of the vehicle then fled on foot with 80 g of methamphetamines with a street value of $6,300 but was apprehended by a police service dog (PSD) shortly thereafter.

The driver of the vehicle allegedly assaulted PSD Jagger, resulting in non-life threatening injuries to the dog.

Police recovered a loaded handgun, ammunition, bear spray, a hatchet, and an undisclosed amount of cash from the vehicle.

Ryan James Prystay, 33, is charged with flight from peace officer, dangerous driving, injure or endanger a law enforcement animal, possession for the purpose of trafficking, unauthorized possession of a firearm in a vehicle, possession of a prohibited/restricted firearm, unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted weapon, possession of an offensive weapon dangerous to the public(x3), careless storage of firearm/weapon/ammunition (x2), possession of stolen property under $5,000.

The accused is known to police.

The arrest was possible by collaboration between the Edmonton Police Service Canine Unit, Air-1, Traffic Section, patrol units from Northeast Division, Southeast Division, Southwest Division, Downtown Division and the RCMP. 

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