Police release sketch of male witnessed jumping from High Level Bridge; Investigators seek help identifying him

The Edmonton Police Service is asking for the public’s help to identify a male who was witnessed jumping from the High Level Bridge last month.

On Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, an unknown male was observed climbing the barriers of the High Level Bridge (9201-109 Street) at approximately 4 p.m.. Witnesses in the area reportedly saw the male jump from the bridge into the North Saskatchewan River.

 

Police have searched the river and engaged EPS flight operations in hopes of locating and identifying the male with no success. Investigators are now releasing a sketch of the male, in an attempt to identify him.

 

The individual is described as a soft-spoken white male, believed to be in his early 20s, who stands about 5’7” with a slim build (approximately 140lbs). He has light brown hair of a medium length and does not have any facial hair. He was wearing a black sweatshirt and blue jeans.

 

Missing Unknown Male

 


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Local woman charged in relation to $1.4 million fraud

The Edmonton Police Service has charged an Edmonton woman with fraud and theft in relation to a payroll fraud worth $1.4 million.

Between 2007 and 2014, Maureen Burns, 68, is alleged to have falsified paycheques from ex- employees of an Edmonton transport company where she worked. Burns allegedly created false payroll deposits for more than 500 employees who were no longer with the company, changed their banking information, and had the falsified paycheques deposited into one of five bank accounts registered in her name.

 

Through these transactions, Burns fraudulently transferred $1,117,241 into her accounts, with an additional $322,332 paid to the Canadian government from the company in taxes and other payroll deductions as a result of the fraud.

 

The scheme was uncovered in 2014 when staffing reports revealed that an employee who was no longer employed by the company had received payment.

 

Following a lengthy investigation, Burns was arrested on Nov. 8, 2018 and charged with one count each of fraud over $5,000 and theft over $5,000.

 

Burns was employed with the company from 2002 to 2014 as a payroll administrator.

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Colombian family seeks public’s assistance in bringing killer of their “beloved Leonardo” to justice

Elias Malkum and his brother-in-law, Leonardo Duran-Ibanez, 42, were returning home from a fun evening out together, at a nearby Latin club in north central Edmonton in November of 2016.

Leonardo had been staying with Elias and his sister, Milena Maria Duran, while visiting from the family’s homeland in Colombia.

The family, a close-knit group, was enjoying their experience living together in Canada, before everything changed in the early-morning hours of Nov. 13.

Leonardo was beaten to death, and Elias assaulted, after being approached by a group of four males and two female suspects, while walking home from the Latin club.

It is alleged that the suspects - not known to the complainants - attempted to start a fight with the two men, who ignored the suspects and continued to walk away.

The suspects then reportedly assaulted the two men, repeatedly punching one of the men in the face, while pushing the other to the ground, before kicking the 42-year-old Leonardo in the head numerous times.

Leonardo would succumb to his injuries later that Sunday afternoon. The Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy on the deceased, confirming that Duran-Ibanez died as a result of injuries consistent with severe head trauma.

“We are still in a state of shock,” said Elias Malkum, standing on the street corner near 97 Street and 119 Avenue where he and his brother-in-law were savagely beaten back in November 2016. “We never thought something like this could happen to our family in such a peaceful place like Canada. We miss Leonardo every day. My wife, and Leonardo’s sister, is devastated.”

Despite a $40,000 reward being offered by the Edmonton Police Commission for concrete evidence that will help Homicide investigators make an arrest, limited information has been received to date.

“This brutal act of violence has traumatized this family,” said EPS Det Rick Thomas, leading up the homicide investigation.
“The family came to Edmonton for a better way of life. Now they’re left trying to piece their lives back together, with those responsible yet to be brought to justice. We’re hoping today, two years later, someone with valuable information will finally step forward and help to ease this family’s pain.”

Anyone who has information about this homicide 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 www.tipsubmit.com/start.htm.

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Police arrest suspects related to string of purse thefts

The Edmonton Police Service has arrested two suspects allegedly connected to a series of reported purse thefts at grocery stores across the city.

In a February news release, police advised citizens of a string of reported purse thefts taking place at grocery stores across the city. In each instance, the suspects reportedly waited until the shopper was distracted or away from their shopping cart or vehicle, and then removed their purse or wallet from the grocery cart or the passenger seat of an unlocked car. The thieves then often used the IDs and credit cards in the purses and wallets to make fraudulent purchases.

 

On Friday, Nov. 2, 2018, detectives arrested and charged two male suspects after they reportedly stole a purse from a 75-year-old female while her vehicle was parked in a grocery store parking lot in the area of Calgary Trial and 48 Ave, and then used her credit card to make a fraudulent purchase a short time later.

 

Dennis Dalziel, 49, and James Paquette, 48, are now facing 49 theft and fraud related charges linked to incidents from May to October 2018. These charges include: theft under $5,000, possession of stolen property, fraud and breach of recognizance. Dalziel is also facing an additional 61 fraud and theft related charges linked to incidents from January to May of this year.

 

“We are thrilled that we were able to apprehend these suspects and prevent further thefts and frauds to unsuspecting shoppers,” says Det. Michael Healey with EPS West Division Criminal Investigations Section.

 

As the holiday season approaches, police continue to remind shoppers to remain aware of their surroundings and possessions and report any suspicious activity to police.

 

Citizens who are victims of theft or notice suspicious activity while shopping can contact the EPS by calling the complaint line 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 www.p3tips.com/250.

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Police investigating fatal pedestrian collision

A 16-year-old female pedestrian has succumbed to injuries sustained after being struck by a vehicle yesterday afternoon.

At approximately 12:55 p.m. yesterday, Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, Northwest Division Patrol officers responded to a pedestrian collision in the area of 118 Avenue and 78 Street.

 

It was reported to police that a female pedestrian was crossing from the south side to the north side of 118 Avenue at 78 Street in a traffic light controlled crosswalk when she was struck by a 2013 Ford Fusion travelling westbound on 118 Avenue. It was reported that the traffic lights for east and westbound traffic on 118 Avenue were green.

 

EMS responded, treated and transported the 16-year-old female to hospital with life-threatening injuries. She succumbed to her injuries in hospital yesterday evening.

 

The 22-year-old male driver of the Fusion was not injured.

 

EPS Major Collision Investigations Section (MCIS) continues to investigate and is asking anyone who witnessed the collision to contact the EPS.

Alcohol and drugs are not considered factors in this collision.

 

Anyone with 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 www.p3tips.com/250.

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TRAP team recovers close to $4M in stolen vehicles thus far in 2018

The EPS TRAP team continues to have a significant impact on auto theft throughout our city, recovering close to $4 million in stolen vehicles thus far in 2018.

The Targeted Response to Auto Theft Prevention team, or TRAP, has to date arrested over 200 people, lay close to 900 charges and executed 337 warrants in their ongoing assault on auto theft.

“Our team is resolute and determined to stay on the heels of criminals stealing vehicles,” said Staff Sgt. Sid Kingma, of the EPS Economic Crimes Unit. “We’re confident we’re having an impact out there, though vehicle theft remains one of the top property crimes in our city each and every day.”

Between Jan. 1 and Oct. 31, 2018, TRAP members recovered 191 vehicles, 67 of which were Ford vehicles, especially Ford trucks. Various Honda models, especially early-model Civics, continue to trend high, as the second-most stolen vehicle in Edmonton (28).

“We urge all citizens to lock up their vehicles, park them in a garage when possible and secure their keys in an effort to reduce auto crime,” said Staff Sgt. Kingma. “Leaving your vehicle running and/or your garage door remote inside the vehicle significantly increases the risk of having it stolen.”

TRAP has also recovered various other stolen property totalling close to $56,000, including Bobcats and utility trailers, as well as 38 weapons (15 firearms) and 28 stolen licence plates.

                                     

The TRAP team is a specialized EPS unit specifically targeting prolific auto thieves, many of whom use stolen vehicles in other crimes, such as break-and-enters, robberies and home invasions. TRAP launched in March 2017, and between March and December 2017, the team recovered 221 stolen vehicles, made 187 arrests and laid 931 charges.


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Autopsy results confirm death of 56-year-old male is homicide

An autopsy conducted by the Edmonton Medical Examiner on Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, has confirmed that Christopher Michael Antoniuk, 56, died as a result of stab wounds.

Homicide Section has deemed the manner of death to be homicide.

 

This is Edmonton’s 25^th homicide of 2018.

 

Detectives continue to investigate and encourage anyone with information about Antoniuk’s death 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 www.p3tips.com/250.

 

Background

At approximately 6:40 p.m., Friday, Nov. 2, 2018, Northeast Division officers responded to the report of an assault in the area of 108 Avenue and 31 Street.

 

Upon arrival, officers located an unresponsive 56-year-old male.

 

EMS responded, treated and transported the male to hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

  

Every file is evaluated on a case by case basis. The EPS has decided to release the name of the deceased as it serves an investigative purpose.

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