Bicycle chop shop dismantled; police hope to reunite bikes with original owners

Northwest Division Beat officers are hoping to locate the original owners of several stolen bicycles in the city, after police dismantled a “bicycle chop shop” and charged six adults late last month.

On Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016, Northwest Division Beats executed a search warrant at a residence in the area of 119 Avenue and 76 Street associated to a drug investigation. Upon entering the residence, officers located 24 stolen bicycles ranging in value, six bike forks, approximately 50 bike tires and rims, along with a variety of other bike parts and tools used to reassemble and alter a bike’s original look. Drugs, break-in tools, weapons and identity documents were also seized from the residence.

Investigators believe the bikes were stolen from various locations across the city, modified at the residence and then sold for profit on the street. The total value of the recovered bicycles and parts are believed to be worth approximately $20,000.

Snapshot of recovered bicycles

Northwest Division Beat officers have charged six people in relation to this investigation:

• Justin Peters, 32, is charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of break-in instruments, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public and breach of condition recognizance (x2)
• Rian White, 40, is charged with possession of property for the purpose of trafficking and possession of an identity document.
• Jason Ollie, 41, is charged with failing to comply with probation orders (x3), possession of a weapon dangerous to the public, carrying a concealed weapon, breach of condition recognizance, possession of a prohibited firearm and knowingly possessing a prohibited weapon.
• Deena Shulz, 45, is charged with possession of property for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and possession of an identity document.
• Marie Enokson, 45, is charged with knowingly possessing a prohibited weapon and possession of a controlled substance.
• Gerald McHugh, 49, is charged with possession of property for the purpose of trafficking and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (x3)

Investigators believe the majority of the bikes recovered were stolen from garage break and enters.

“In northwest division alone, garage break and enters are up 15 per cent since this time last year,” says Staff Sgt. Jonathan Coughlan, with the Criminal Investigation Section. “Make it extra difficult for bad guys – always lock your doors and be sure to remove portable garage door openers from your vehicles.”

“Our ultimate goal is to reunite these bikes with their original owners,” says Coughlan.

Photos of the recovered bicycles have been posted to the EPS Pinterest page.

If you believe you have identified your bicycle via the EPS Pinterest page, please contact the EPS via one of the following ways:

• Call Nicole Draves at 780-391-4569
• E-Mail EPSPinterest@edmontonpolice.ca

Citizens are urged not to contact the Property Exhibit Unit directly, unless instructed to do so by an EPS member. For more information on recovering your bike, please visit the website.

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Traffic Section investigating collision on Whitemud Drive

The EPS Major Collision Investigations Unit is investigating a collision that occurred early this morning.

At approximately 4 a.m. today (Oct. 5, 2016), Southwest Division officers responded to a collision involving a gravel truck and a smaller utility truck at 122 Street and Whitemud Drive.  

The employee of the smaller truck was working in a bucket lift when the gravel truck struck his vehicle. The gravel truck caught on fire as a result of the collision and spilt fuel on the roadway also ignited, but both men managed to make a safe escape. Both drivers sustained non-life-threatening injuries.   

Neither alcohol nor speed is believed to be a factor in the collision, and the cause is still under investigation. No charges have been laid at this time.

Anyone who has information about the 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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Traffic Section investigating pedestrian fatality

The EPS Major Collision Investigations Unit is investigating a fatal collision that occurred this afternoon.

At approximately 2:15 p.m. today (Oct. 4, 2016), West Division officers responded to a collision involving an ETS bus and pedestrian in the area of 87 Avenue and 169 Street.

The 83-year-old female pedestrian was treated by paramedics and taken to hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.

It was reported that she was lawfully crossing in a marked cross walk, from the north curb to the south curb when she was struck by the bus.

No charges have been laid at this time against the bus driver and investigations continue.

This is Edmonton’s 19^th traffic fatality in 2016.

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Homicide Section investigating man’s death following a home invasion

The EPS Homicide Section is investigating an early morning home invasion that resulted in one man being shot and a husband and wife severely beaten. Detectives believe the McConachie Blvd. residence was wrongfully targeted.

EPS Northeast Division patrol officers responded to a home on McConachie Blvd. at approximately 2:30 a.m. today (Oct. 4, 2016) on reports of a break and enter and aggravated assault. 

Investigations revealed that the husband and wife, who were home at the time of the break in, were tied up, blindfolded and severely assaulted after demands were made for drugs and money. It was reported to police shortly after the break in that shots were fired in the residence. 

When officers arrived on scene they found a male, who appeared to have been shot, in the basement of the home.

The male who had been shot was treated and taken to hospital by EMS, where he passed away later this morning. The husband remains in hospital for treatment of his injuries. 

A residence next door, which is known to police, is also being investigated as part of this file. Homicide Detectives continue to investigate and are releasing descriptions of two suspects in relation to the shooting: 

Suspect #1: A black male, approximately 5’10” to 6’ tall, early to mid-20s, clean shaven, slim build, wearing a dark Hoody and darker jeans, and dark gloves. The male was also wearing dark, round, thick-rimmed eye glasses. 

Suspect #2: A male with a short beard, approximately 5’10” to 5’11” tall, late 20s, with a stalky or heavier build, wearing a dark Hoody and sweat pants. 

Both suspects are described as speaking with an accent or in broken English.

 

Anyone who has information about the suspects or what the home invasion and shooting, 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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100th Anniversary of EPS Crime Scenes Investigations Unit celebrated with Legacy of Heroes comic book

Legacy of Heroes: Behold the Proof, the forth issue in the popular Edmonton Police Service comic book series was released today, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016. This issue celebrates the 100th anniversary of the EPS Crime Scenes Investigations Unit and takes the reader back in time to learn how fingerprints became crucial evidence when solving crimes.

The comic takes place in 1916, the year Horace Reynolds was hired by the EPS to collect and catalogue fingerprints.

The history lesson covers the three patterns of distinct fingerprints (ulnar, plain whorl and plain arch pattern), technologies used to find and lift prints, the card and rod system developed in the mid-60’s by the EPS to compare unknown prints with prints of known criminals, and the introduction of an automated computer database for fingerprints called AFIS.

A few minutes after AFIS was turned on for the first time, the EPS was able to identify fingerprints belonging to a kidnapper and rescued a young boy.

Copies of Legacy of Heroes: Behold the Proof are available at all EPS divisional stations and online. Past digital issues of Legacy of Heroes are available on the EPS website.

Legacy of Heroes was launched in 2014.  The series is dedicated to sharing historic stories about the remarkable people and events of the Edmonton Police Service. There are more than 25,000 printed copies of the three editions of the comic. The electronic version has been read by people all over the world, as far away as Hong Kong and Australia.

To learn more about the Edmonton Police Service's Forensic Identification Section, please watch our This is Who I Am video:

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Police find two children in home after drug lab explodes in garage

The Edmonton Police Service is investigating a residential garage explosion that put the lives of two young children in danger. The detached garage is believed to be a drug lab.

On Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, the EPS assisted Edmonton Fire Rescue at a garage fire around 12:30 p.m. in the area of 66 Street and 149 Avenue. A 33-year-old male and 29-year-old female were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The male has been released from hospital and the female is still receiving medical care.

Inside the home, two children (10 and 11-years old) were also taken to hospital for precautionary reasons and have been released.

“It’s disconcerting these children were placed in harm’s way,” says Staff Sgt. Mark Hilton with Northeast Division Criminal Investigations Section. “Fortunately, they weren't injured, or worse, killed. The children are now in the care of other family members.”

To ensure the safety of EPS officers, City of Edmonton engineers and the EPS Clandestine Lab are being consulted to determine if the structure is safe for police to execute a search warrant on the property today.

Charges against the two adults are pending as the investigation continues.

If anyone has information about this incident, please 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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Man charged in latest homicide; investigation continues

The Edmonton Police Service Homicide Section has charged a man in relation to the homicide of Christopher Lee Giroux, 46.

Just after midnight on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, Downtown Division patrol officers responded to the area of 107 Avenue and 110 Street, where Giroux was located with obvious trauma to his chest. He was treated and transported to hospital by EMS, where he died a short time after.

Levi Denim Simpson, 26, is charged with first degree murder, unlawful confinement, robbery, possession of an offensive weapon dangerous to the public, aggravated sexual assault, possession of an identity document and disguise with intent to commit an indictable offence.

The cause of death will not be released at this time. 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.

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