EPS lays first drone-related charge

The Edmonton Police Service has charged a man in relation to the unsafe and dangerous operation of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), also commonly known as a “drone.”

On Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, a constable trained as a UAV operator for the EPS observed an UAV operating in a dangerous manner in downtown Edmonton in the area of 105 Avenue and 104 Street. The UAV was reportedly being operated over buildings, roadways, the MacEwan LRT Station and around Rogers Place.

Guidelines issued by Transport Canada deem this type of operation to be hazardous to persons on the ground. The UAV was operating too close to the Royal Alexandra Heliport, which STARS uses for transporting patients for medical emergencies.

An investigation by members of the EPS in consultation with Transport Canada and the Crown Prosecutors, led to EPS laying charges on Monday, Dec. 5, 2016.

Bennett Alexander Hojka, 23, was charged with operate model aircraft without a permit on parkland under a municipal bylaw. He was also charged with flying a model aircraft in a manner that is or is likely to be hazardous to aviation safety under the Canadian Aviation Regulations.

“With the holiday season here, many electronic enthusiasts may purchase or receive a UAV as a gift, “says Const. Binoy Prabhu with Downtown Division. “Please remember there are regulations for its use and that users should be familiar with and follow the Transport Canada guidelines.”

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Police release composite sketch of suspect in series of assaults

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is releasing the following composite sketch in hopes of identifying a suspect in a series of sexual assaults that occurred on Nov. 8 and 9, 2016.

A female complainant reported that on Nov. 8, 2016, at approximately 6:20 p.m., while walking through a parking lot in the area of 146 Avenue and 25 Street, she was groped by a male.  

A second female complainant reported to police that she was walking from the Clareview LRT station to the Clareview Recreation Centre around 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 8, 2016 and a male approached her from behind and groped her.

A third female complainant reported to police that while walking to catch a bus at 137 Avenue and 27 Street, around 9:40 a.m. on Nov. 9, 2016,  a male approached her from behind and groped her.

The suspect is described as a Caucasian male of slim build, with a light/fair complexion, between 5’7”- 5’8” in height, with dark eyes, short brown hair and a full beard/moustache. He is believed to be between 30 and 35 years old, and was wearing a black or dark toque in all three incidents, with either a brown Carhart-style jacket or a light-coloured jacket with layers.

Police encourage anyone with information about this suspect to 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

from Media Releases http://ift.tt/2heoDG2

Police seek public’s assistance to identify LRT hate crime suspect

The Edmonton Police Service is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a male suspect in connection with an alleged hate crime that occurred at the Health Sciences LRT Station on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016.

The EPS Hate Crimes Detail is investigating the alleged incident, which saw an elderly male approach and threaten two young women wearing hijabs (head scarves).

Cell phone video shot by one of the complainants shows an elderly male pulling a rope from his pocket, then tying a noose, before issuing the threat, “This is for you!”  The suspect male then proceeded to sing O’Canada in front of the two women.

The suspect is described as a (see image below): 

• Caucasian male
• In his 60s
• Thin build
• Glasses
• Balding with grey hair

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.

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

Public information and warning: violent sexual offender released

In the interest of public safety, the Edmonton Police Service is issuing the following warning; Leon Halkett, 31, is considered by police to be a violent and sexually violent offender who has preyed on random women, as well as women whom he has been in relationships with.

Halkett will be residing in the Edmonton area. The Edmonton Police Service is seeking a recognizance order on Halkett and he will be closely monitored by the Behavioral Assessment Unit of the Edmonton Police Service.

The Edmonton Police Service is issuing this information and warning after careful deliberation of all related issues, including privacy concerns, in the belief that it is clearly in the public interest to inform the members of the community.

Leon Halkett, 31
Height: 6’1"
Weight: 150 lbs
Eyes: Brown
             Hair: Black            

Members of the public are advised that the intent of this process is to enable citizens to take suitable precautionary measures. Releasing this information is NOT intended to encourage people to engage in any form of vigilante action.

This information is released under the authority of the FOIP Act, RSA 2000, C. F-25.

from Media Releases http://ift.tt/2fUKVf8

Police request public’s help to locate missing 25-year-old woman

The Edmonton Police Service is requesting the public’s assistance locating a missing 25-year-old woman who was last seen on CCTV on Monday, Nov. 28, 2016 at the Clairview LRT station.

Cheyenne Partridge, 25, was last seen wearing a grey and black plaid jacket, a black and red plaid hoody, a dark colored baseball cap under the hoodie, black baggy pants and no shoes.

Cheyenne is described as an Indigenous female, 5’4” tall and weighs about 150 lbs. She has brown eyes and black hair, perhaps tied back in a ponytail. She may have an injury on her right ankle.

The picture attached is what she was last seen wearing.

Police and family are concerned for her safety and well-being.

Missing: Cheyenne Partridge, 25

Anyone who has information about this woman’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.

from Media Releases http://ift.tt/2gJR4fL

81-year-old woman found safe in Edson

The 81-year-old woman has been found safe.

With the assistance of the RCMP, the Edmonton Police Service located elderly woman around 2 p.m. in Edson, AB.

Thank you to the public and all media outlets for your assistance.

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Investigators seek additional witnesses to weekend pedestrian fatal involving ETS bus

The Edmonton Police Service is seeking additional witnesses to a pedestrian fatality that saw a 13-year-old girl struck and killed by an Edmonton Transit System bus Saturday evening in northwest Edmonton.

Major Collision Investigations Unit members believe there were several passengers riding the bus involved in the collision that evening, Saturday, Nov. 26^th, at approximately 7:40 p.m. The bus was travelling on route #10, which runs between Clareview and Coliseum stations.

Investigators would also like to speak with those individuals that were awaiting the bus’s arrival, while standing at bus stop #7257, located on the south curb of 137 Avenue, east of 40 Street.

Anyone who has 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.

Background:
On Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016 at approximately 7:40 p.m., officers from Northeast Division responded to a report of a collision involving a pedestrian and an unknown vehicle in the area of 137 Avenue and 40 Street.

It is reported a 13-year-old female pedestrian was crossing 137 Avenue southbound on 40 Street in a marked crosswalk. Through investigation by the EPS Major Collision Investigation Unit, it was determined the pedestrian was struck and dragged a short distance by an Edmonton Transit System bus making a left (eastbound) turn onto 137 Avenue from southbound on 40 Street.

Police believe the ETS bus unknowingly struck the pedestrian; the bus did not stop and wait at the scene following the collision. Emergency Medical Services attended the intersection and the pedestrian was declared deceased.

The ETS bus believed to be involved in the collision was located at Coliseum Station a few hours later.

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