Police seek public’s assistance to ID armed robbery suspect

The Edmonton Police Service is asking for the public’s assistance to help identify a man allegedly involved in a number of personal armed robberies.

On Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016, at approximately 2:20 p.m., it was reported to police that an unknown male attended a sporting goods store in the area of 153 Avenue and 37 Street and allegedly stole a firearm.

Later that evening, around 11 p.m., a bystander was approached in the area of 162 Avenue and 134 Street by an unknown male suspect requesting a ride. Upon acknowledgement, the suspect presented a firearm and demanded money before fleeing the area on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash.

The next evening, on Oct. 23, 2016, at approximately 8:30 p.m., it was reported that a male taxi driver picked up an unknown male from the area of 38 Avenue and 91 Street and drove him to the area of 134 Street and 162 Avenue. Upon arrival, the suspect presented a firearm and demanded money before fleeing the area on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash.

The following morning, on Oct. 24, 2016, at around 9:30 a.m., it was reported that another male taxi driver picked up an unknown male suspect from a restaurant in the area of 128 Street and 161 Avenue and drove him to the area of 133 Street and 164 Avenue. Upon arrival, the suspect presented a firearm and demanded money before fleeing the area on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash.

The EPS is releasing the following photos of the suspect in hopes of identifying him. The same suspect is believed to be involved in all four incidents.

 

                           
Alleged suspect involved in robberies with a firearm

“I’d like to remind citizens that tips can be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers, should you wish to remain anonymous,” says Detective Wilson Lee with Northwest Division.

“If you know anything about this man, we would like to hear from you,” says Lee.  

The suspect is described as a black male, with short black hair and dark eyes, believed to be in his mid-20s.

This individual is considered to be armed and dangerous and should not be approached. 

Anyone with information about this individual is asked to contact Northwest Division directly at 780-391-4569.

Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at http://www.tipsubmit.com/start.htm.

from Media Releases http://www.edmontonpolice.ca/News/MediaReleases/assisttoIDnov10.aspx

Graduation day for Edmonton Police Service Recruit Training Class #135

Edmonton Police Service Recruit Training Class #135 will be graduating at a prestigious ceremony filled with pride and tradition at City Hall on Thursday afternoon.

 

 

Police Chief Rod Knecht will be joined at the ceremony by Cathy Palmer, Chair of the Edmonton Police Commission, EPS senior management, and representatives from other law enforcement and emergency response agencies. 

 

The program will include a formal procession by the EPS Honour Guard, performances by the EPS Pipes and Drums and the EPS Chorus, colourful flag and marching drills, comments from EPS members and special guests, and diploma presentations.  Recruit class members will also receive recognition awards for demonstrating excellence in: problem solving, officer safety, academics, humanitarianism, fitness, and the trainers’ choice category. 

 

The 30 recruits (24 males, six females, and two police service dog teams) come from a variety of backgrounds from across Canada and abroad.  The recruits have completed a year of intense academic and field development training and assessment, and are now full-fledged police officers committed to making Edmonton the safest major city in Canada.

 

 

Members of the public and media are invited to join family and friends at the graduation ceremony and wish the new graduates well.

 

RTC #135 Graduation Ceremony

Edmonton City Hall, City Room (Main Floor)

1 Sir Winston Churchill Square

Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016, 1 to 3 p.m.

 

For more information on joining the EPS, becoming a proud and dedicated graduate, and having a valued career in one of Canada’s leading police agencies, please visit www.joinEPS.ca.

from Media Releases http://www.edmontonpolice.ca/News/MediaReleases/GraduationdayforEdmontonPoliceServiceRecruitTrainingClass135.aspx

Police searching for missing 52-year-old man

The Edmonton Police Service is asking the public to help locate a missing 52-year-old man who walked away from his residence around 6:30 p.m. yesterday (Friday, Nov. 4, 2016).

He was last seen in the area of 33 Avenue and 68 Street. 

Darren Panaktalok, 51, functions at a cognitive level of a child and also requires medication, without which he may become epileptic. There is concern for his health and safety. 

 

Panaktalok is 5'5" tall and weighs about 130 lbs. He has short black hair with a buzz cut and scruffy facial hair. He was wearing a light-coloured T-shirt with a Canadian flag logo, dark sweatpants and a grey winter jacket. He may be travelling south towards Pigeon Lake.

Anyone who has information about the missing man 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.

from Media Releases http://ift.tt/2eKcEzz

Police investigate after pedestrian struck in marked crosswalk

The Edmonton Police Service is investigating a collision that occurred late Wednesday evening north of Whyte Avenue, which sent a female pedestrian to hospital with very serious injuries.

Southwest Division patrol members responded to a collision near 86 Avenue and 104 Street at approximately 10:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, where they found a 34-year-old female pedestrian lying on the ground in a marked crosswalk.

Witnesses told police the 34-year-old complainant and a friend were walking eastbound across 104 Street at a marked crosswalk when the complainant was struck by a 2008 Jeep Liberty in the far west lane.

It was reported to police the Jeep Liberty had stopped to let the pedestrians cross 104 Street, when it was allegedly struck from behind by another vehicle, a 2016 White GMC Savanna, pushing it forward where it collided with the first pedestrian.

The female complainant was treated and transported to hospital by paramedics with very serious, but non-life threatening injuries. Neither driver was injured, though both vehicles sustained significant damage.

Officers from the EPS Major Collisions Investigation Unit have since taken over the investigation. Although the investigation is preliminary at this time, officers do not believe alcohol or drugs were factors in the collision.

Charges, however, are pending against the driver of the GMC Savanna.

Anyone who witnessed this collision or who has information is encouraged 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.

from Media Releases http://ift.tt/2eDZyU9

Autopsy complete in latest suspicious death

The death of a man found unresponsive in a suite early Monday has been confirmed as a homicide.

At approximately 4:30 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 31, 2016, West Division Patrol officers responded to a residence in the area of 156 Street and 87 Avenue and located an unresponsive male in a suite.

An autopsy was completed on Tuesday (Nov. 1, 2016) and the Edmonton Medical Examiner confirmed that Kendall Dale Rowan, 26, died as a result of a stab wound.

The EPS Homicide Section does not have anyone in custody at this time.  The investigation continues.

This is Edmonton’s 39^th homicide of 2016.

Anyone who has information is encouraged 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.

from Media Releases http://ift.tt/2f5o4yn

EPS conducts proactive traffic enforcement on major thoroughfares

The Edmonton Police Service Specialized Traffic Operation Section along with the RCMP, Alberta Sheriff Capitol Region Integrated Traffic Enforcement Unit conducted proactive traffic enforcement on major thoroughfares for 24-hours on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016.

This traffic enforcement initiative took place city-wide. Major thoroughfares that were patrolled included Whitemud Drive, Anthony Henday Drive, Manning Drive, and Yellowhead Trail (Hwy 16) to target high risk activities of road users.

“We organized a safe driving campaign to address a number of complaints received by the EPS and the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS),” says Sgt. Kerry Bates, EPS Traffic Safety Coordinator. “In partnership with our regional law enforcement agencies, we educated drivers and addressed high risk driving activities.”

Some of the high risk driving activities addressed included:

• Aggressive driving (speeding, racing and other moving violation charges)
• Distracted driving (careless, fail to yield and driving with hand held devices)
• Occupant restraints
• Impaired driving and driving while prohibited
• Other provincial traffic statutes

A total 288 speeding violations were issued, 58 other traffic violations, five warrants were executed, and four vehicles were seized within the 24-hour period.   

“The combined effort by all traffic enforcement members involved made this initiative a success,” says Sgt. Bates.

from Media Releases http://ift.tt/2eAPdZp

Crime Free Multi-Housing program celebrates 300th property certification

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) has certified the 300th multi-family property in its Crime Free Multi-Housing (CFMH) program that helps keep illegal activity out and residents safe.

 

E’Scapes Condominiums is the 300^th CFMH certified property in Edmonton

 

The milestone comes 15 years after the EPS launched the program in Edmonton, which became the first city in Alberta to participate in the accredited North American safety program.  The CFMH program is now coordinated in partnership with the City of Edmonton Landlord and Tenant Advisory Board (LTAB).    

 

“The program’s longevity and success are due in large part to the cooperation and support of the property managers and residents,” says EPS Acting Sgt. Amanda Trenchard.  “At one time, it was police going it alone and trying to control crime at problem properties, now it’s the reverse where landlords and tenants are taking ownership and not tolerating criminal behaviour.  Quite literally, we’re now able to get in on the ground floor and that's making all the difference.”

 

When illegitimate users or other destructive residents operate out of a multi-family property, landlords and tenants can pay a high price, and neighbourhoods can suffer as well.  Typically, there is an increase in property and violent crimes, along with increased fear and frustration.

 

The goal of the Crime Free Multi-Housing program is to introduce crime prevention techniques to multi-housing properties to reduce the likelihood of criminal activity.  This is achieved by training building managers to create crime-free buildings, conducting a security audit of the building, and offering residents a safety social event so they can learn ways to look out for one another and create a sense of community within their multi-family property. 

 

The CFMH program has fostered positive relationships between property managers, residents and police, empowered individuals to take action in their community, created safer environments, and reduced the number of crimes reported. 

 

 

The EPS did a comparison of the calls for service to two neighbouring multi-family rental properties in the area of 118 Avenue and 89 Street, where one property has participated in the CFMH program since 2010, and the other property has never participated.  Between September 2010 and June 2016, police were dispatched 60 times to the non-participating property, while police were only dispatched 10 times to the CFMH property.  More significantly, there were no reports of violence at the CFMH property.

 

One property manager who has participated in the program for over 10 years comments, “I find that residents feel more secure, and as a manager, I know that I will not be dealing with any individuals that are drug impaired or have gang connections.  Should a problem arise, I have the support of the Edmonton Police Service.”

 

The program also helps to identify civil processes under the Residential Tenancies Act that can be used to reduce crime or other nuisance activity.  These processes include applicant pre-screening, residential tenancy addendum agreements, mediation services, and offering training and educational resources. 

 

“The Crime Free Multi-Housing program has been of great benefit to all involved, and has helped to improve the relationship between landlords and tenants,” says Judy Downey, Supervisor of the Landlord and Tenant Advisory Board.  “It meets our mutual goals of having safe, appropriate and affordable housing in Edmonton, but more importantly, it provides peace of mind and quality of life.”  

 

For more information on the CFMH program, or if you are interested in having your property participate in the program, please visit http://ift.tt/2evuBla.

 

from Media Releases http://ift.tt/2dYuPos