Man facing first-degree murder charges in deaths of elderly couple

Homicide detectives have charged a 31-year-old Edmonton man with several charges including first degree murder in connection with the tragic death of an elderly couple Friday afternoon.

Edward Kyle Roberts, 31, is accused with breaking into a nearby residence and stealing a knife that he is alleged to have then used to kill Joao Nascimento, 93, and Maria Nascimento, 81, after breaking into the couple’s nearby residence sometime yesterday morning, Friday, Sept. 2, 2016.

Roberts is also charged with break and enter (x2), possession of a weapon and breach of recognizance.

Cause and manner of death will be officially confirmed following autopsies on the deceased scheduled to be undertaken by the Medical Examiner on Tuesday morning.

Background:

Downtown Division members responded to a suspicious person’s call at a residence near 111 Street and 111 Avenue, at approximately 12:13 p.m. Friday.

Upon arrival, EPS members engaged and arrested a male suspect and subsequently discovered the bodies of two deceased residents inside the home.

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Male suspect in custody in connection with suspicious deaths

A male suspect is in custody in connection with the suspicious deaths of two individuals earlier this afternoon.

Downtown Division members responded to a suspicious person’s call at a residence near 111 Street and 111 Avenue, at approximately 12:13 p.m. today, Friday, Sept. 2, 2016.

Upon arrival, EPS members engaged and arrested a male suspect and subsequently discovered the bodies of two deceased residents inside the home. There is no perceived risk to the surrounding neighbourhood at this time.

Homicide detectives have since taken over the investigation and are currently on scene, along with other EPS units including Forensics and Canine.

Autopsies have not yet been scheduled for the deceased. Further details will be released when they become available, either later this evening or over the weekend.

Anyone with additional information regarding these deaths 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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Death of male found at residential fire still under investigation

The Edmonton Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy today on a deceased man who was found at the scene of a residential fire last night (Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016).

The Medical Examiner confirmed the death of the man was a result of the fire. The Edmonton Police Service is still investigating to determine if the death is suspicious.

The deceased male has not been identified at this time and next of kin notification has not taken place.

The EPS Homicide Section continues to investigate.

Anyone who has information about this incident 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.

Background:

Southeast Division patrol officers responded to a residential fire near 98 Street and 81 Avenue at approximately 11 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016.

Upon arrival, officers discovered a deceased individual at that address.  Homicide detectives were called out to the scene to investigate.

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.

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Police urge drivers to slow down on High Level Bridge

The Edmonton Police Service is urging motorists to slow down after multiple drivers were caught travelling more than double the posted speed limit on the High Level Bridge this week.

Officers conducted High Level Bridge traffic enforcement last night (Sept. 1, 2016) and 25 speeding vehicles were stopped – four were travelling at least 54 km/h over the 50 km/h speed limit, including two vehicles recorded at 118 km/h. One motorcycle noise violation and ten distracted driving tickets were issued.

“The speeds we’re seeing on the bridge are alarming,” says Sgt. Kerry Bates, EPS Traffic Safety Coordinator. “We’re responding weekly to reports of vehicles driving dangerously and motorcycle racing – citizens need to slow down.”

The EPS also conducted High Level Bridge traffic enforcement late Monday night (Aug. 29, 2016) and 25 speed violations were handed out in two hours. Four motorists were clocked travelling more than double the limit; one vehicle was recorded at 119 km/h. Twenty-one additional tickets were issued for speed violations between 70-89 km/h.

Late-night enforcement on Aug. 18, 2016 resulted in 32 speeding infractions on the High Level Bridge, four of which were issued for speeds at least 50 km/h over the limit.

The ongoing enforcement efforts stem from police and community concerns regarding speeding, careless driving and noise on the High Level Bridge and surrounding area.

These unsafe driving practices are not exclusive to the High Level; the Edmonton Police Service frequently responds to high flyers on the James MacDonald Bridge. Downtown Division traffic officers stopped a Mitsubishi Lancer on Aug. 20, 2016 after the vehicle was recorded at 131 km/h in the 60 km/h zone. Another motorist was issued a mandatory court appearance for travelling 54 km/h over the speed limit on Aug. 24, 2016.

“These high speeds create dangerous situations for drivers, passengers, cyclists and pedestrians. Downtown residents have also voiced concerns about unnecessary noise in the community caused by speeding and racing cars and motorcycles,” says Sgt. Phil Cutting with Downtown Division.

“Our downtown traffic officers are focusing enforcement on curtailing these dangerous driving practices and noise violations, but we need motorists to take responsibility for their actions behind the wheel.”

Those who choose to speed may face greater consequences than a ticket; recently, the EPS Major Collision Investigation Unit laid a criminal charge of dangerous driving against a motorist who was recorded travelling 196 km/h along the Sherwood Park Freeway near 50 Street.

“It’s not complicated,” adds Sgt. Bates. “We’re asking the public to put safety first and drive with consideration for others.”

As the Labour Day long weekend approaches, the Edmonton Police Service reminds motorists to always make safety top priority on city streets:

• Don’t speed. Drive for the road and weather conditions.
• Never drive impaired.
• Remove all distractions while driving.
• Always wear a seatbelt.
• Avoid driving when drowsy. Take frequent breaks on long trips.
• Leave a safe distance between vehicles.
• Drive defensively and be aware of your surroundings at all times. 

 

Citizens with traffic concerns are asked to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone.

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Police seek public’s assistance in locating missing 55-year-old man

The Edmonton Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing man.

The Edmonton Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing man. Emmanuel Simon Vachon, 55, was last seen on Wednesday, August 31, 2016 and has not been heard from since. He was last seen at a residence in the area of 28 Street and 22 Avenue.

He is described as a Caucasian, approximately 6’1” tall and approximately 200 lbs. He was last seen wearing black jeans and a black nylon jacket that has a red and white horizontal stripe across the middle. 

MISSING: Emmanuel Simon Vachon, 55

Anyone who has information regarding Emmanuel Simon Vachon’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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Person found dead at scene of residential fire

Southeast Division patrol officers responded to a residential fire near 98 Street and 81 Avenue at approximately 11 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016.

Upon arrival, officers discovered a deceased individual at that address.  Homicide detectives were called out to the scene to investigate.

Gender and identity of the deceased will be released following an autopsy scheduled for later today at the Medical Examiner's Office.

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.

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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“BE A TEXTBOOK DRIVER”

The Edmonton Police Service is asking motorists and pedestrians to be mindful of one another, as thousands of students return to school today throughout Edmonton.

The City of Edmonton’s Office of Traffic Safety (photo radar) and the EPS (manned enforcement) have collectively issued more than 106,000 school zone speeding infraction tickets since the zones were re-introduced across Edmonton in 2014-15.

Over the last two years, the Office of Traffic Safety has issued more than 96,000 tickets to drivers speeding through school zones, and EPS officers have issued 9,908 school zone speeding offence tickets over the same time period, while focusing their efforts near schools where drivers were ignoring the 30 km/h school zone speed limit.

“September 1^st is always an exciting time for families, as their children return to school with plenty of enthusiasm surrounding the upcoming school year,” said Sgt. Kerry Bates, EPS Traffic Safety Coordinator. “It’s also a time for all of us to renew our commitment to safety while sharing the roadways together, and to remind drivers that we will be closely monitoring school zones throughout the school year.”

“Motorists, cyclists and pedestrians all need to be attentive, especially around schools. City streets become increasingly congested at this time of year. It’s imperative that we’re all on top of our games as we ease back into our normal routines of dropping off and picking up our children from school.”

The Edmonton Police Service also re-launched its “Be a textbook driver” public awareness campaign this week, in conjunction with the first day of school. The public awareness campaign includes a television commercial, transit and road-side signs in high traffic areas around the city, reminding motorists to slow down and be mindful of the 30 km/h speed limit in school zones located on the perimeters around schools across Edmonton.

As the principal of Edmonton’s newest school, St. John XXIII Catholic Elementary/Junior High School, Michael Kovacs has been working diligently with various stakeholders in the community to try and ensure that students arrive and return home safely each and every day.

“One of our most important stakeholders is the parents – the people who are dropping off and picking up their children at St. John,” said Kovacs, administrative leader of the new school in Windermere.

“This is a new school located in a rapidly expanding area in southwest Edmonton. We want to set a positive tone from day one here, and we want everyone to follow the rules of the road to ensure our children are safe – both motorists and students.”

“These are busy roadways. It requires the due diligence of all stakeholders to share the roads together responsibly.”

City of Edmonton bylaw officers will also be watching for parking violations around grade schools and post-secondary institutions throughout the school year. 

"Illegal parking around schools is a safety concern for everyone," said Amanda Lesk, Parking Program Analyst with the City. "Vehicles parked too close to crosswalks, intersections and other restricted zones create congestion and make it really difficult for drivers to see pedestrians – especially children crossing the street."

Vehicles parked illegally will be ticketed and towed without warning, with owners facing fines starting at $50, plus a $120 towing fee and impound fees.

Various police services across the province, including the EPS, will be conducting special traffic enforcement initiatives around schools, as students return for the first week of the 2016-17 school year.

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