Detectives charge two people in fatal hit and run

Edmonton Police Service Homicide Detectives have laid charges in connection with a fatal hit and run that occurred on Sunday, June 26, 2016.

Anthony Getschel, 23, is charged with second degree murder, criminal negligence causing death, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death, and fail to stop at scene of accident involving death.

Jordan Wagner, 21, is charged with accessory after the fact to murder.

Ryan Paul Jimmo 34, died as a result of blunt force trauma after being run over by a vehicle in a parking lot just off Whyte Avenue last Sunday. Both individuals charged did not know Jimmo and investigations showed that a brief verbal argument occurred shortly before the incident took place.

This is Edmonton’s 25^th homicide of 2016.

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Child Protection lays sexual assault charges against photographer

A 47-year-old Edmonton freelance photographer is facing numerous charges in connection with the sexual assault of a teenaged female complainant.

It was reported that the accused inappropriately touched the teenager during two photo shoots; the first occurring in a barn in west Edmonton on June 2, 2016, the second at his north-side residence on June 11, 2016. On both occasions, it is alleged the accused took photographs of the complainant in revealing poses and touched her inappropriately at both locations and in his vehicle.

Detectives from the Edmonton Police Service’s Child Protection Section began investigating the alleged sexual assaults, after the complainant reported the incidents to police on June 12^th, 2016.

Christopher John Lafrance, 47, also known by his alias, “CJ Lafrance” of Ontario, is charged with sexual interference (x2), sexual assault (x2), making child pornography and possession of child pornography.

If you have any information about Christopher “CJ” Lafrance, (see photo below), these incidents and/or have also been sexually assaulted by the accused, 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.

Christopher “CJ” Lafrance: Facing Sexual Assault charges

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EPS asks for assistance to find stolen specialized stroller

The Edmonton Police Service is asking the public to help locate a specialized stroller that belongs to a seven-year-old child with Cerebral Palsy.

The specialized stroller was allegedly stolen from outside a residence, between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., in the area of 87 Street and 96 Avenue on Monday, June 27, 2016. The stroller costs over $2,000 and the family requires this specialized equipment for their son.

“Without this stroller, the child has to be carried everywhere,” says Det. Ian Brooks with Criminal Investigations Section with Southeast Division. “I’m hopeful, as a community, we will be able to find the stroller so they boy and his family can enjoy the summer months together.”

The family takes a walk in the park with the specialized stroller (supplied by family).

Example of Adaptive Star – Axiom Endeavour 2 Push Chair (red in colour)

Anyone with information regarding the location of this specialized stroller 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/290oSQD

Youth warned not to play with imitation guns in public

With the arrival of summer, the Edmonton Police Service is launching a safety campaign to educate youth about the dangers of playing with imitation guns such as airsoft in public spaces like residential neighbourhoods, parks, and malls.

 

“Imitation guns can be fun to play with, but there are some real risks and consequences of playing with these kinds of ‘toys’ in public,” says EPS Const. Christopher Marshall, who helped develop the safety campaign.  “There seems to be a general lack of awareness of the real danger posed by fake guns.  We want the public to know that police can’t always tell if a gun is real or fake, so to avoid a potential confrontation, we ask that you don’t show imitation guns in public.” 

 

EPS responds to numerous incidents annually where firearms are reported, but later upon close examination, the guns are revealed to be realistic imitations.

 

In 2014, imitation guns were involved in approximately 1,160 EPS files ranging from mischief to weapons complaints to serious crimes.  In 2015, imitation guns were involved in approximately 1,598 EPS files, an increase of 438 occurrences or 38 per cent in just one year.  Imitation gun files typically rise over the summer months especially in July.

 

Sadly, imitation guns have also been involved in numerous police shootings and close calls across North America.  Of the 23 officer-involved shootings investigated by the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team in 2014 and 2015, four involved imitation guns (two deaths and two serious injuries).

 

Const. Chapman Lee, who was involved in two incidents within a week, cautions imitation gun owners. “Police take firearms complaints very seriously due to the threat to public and officer safety, and will respond with appropriate resources, tactics and level of force.  Just this spring, we had a community college on lockdown because a young man was seen carrying a rifle with a scope nearby, which later turned out to be a pellet gun.  Sometimes people make mistakes, but if it looks like a gun, it’s treated like a gun by police.” 

 

EPS developed the ‘Fake Gun, Real Danger’ public education campaign to build awareness around imitation guns, encourage their safe use, and reduce the number of incidents requiring police response.

 

For the campaign, safety messages will be communicated to imitation gun owners as well as to the general public through a series of provocative multimedia materials.  The materials were developed in consultation with the airsoft community, retailers, parents, the city’s school boards, and officers from the EPS and the RCMP. 

 

“This is a good opportunity for us to partner with police to make the sport of airsoft safer,” says Ben Holliday, Instructor at Capital Airsoft Indoor Battleground.  “Airsoft is a lot of fun to play and attracts a large community of players.  We take the extra time to talk to our customers about the safe and responsible use of airsoft guns and these materials will help us get the message across, especially with young adults tempted to play with their guns in nearby neighbourhoods or parks.”

 

Imitation gun safety tips

 

Please use imitation guns in a safe, responsible and lawful manner:

 

• Never play with an imitation gun in public places such as malls, parks or schools.  
• Use air gun imitations only at designated play areas, gun ranges, or on private land outside of the city.
• Do not point an imitation gun at another person, even if you are joking.
• Handle air gun imitations with care to avoid injuries, and consider taking a safety class. 
• Set rules for children playing with imitation guns so they understand the dangers of misusing them.
• Keep imitation guns out of sight and locked in a case to prevent misunderstandings, accidents or theft.
• If you are carrying an imitation gun and are approached by police, put the gun down and obey their instructions.

 

Police warn that if you have an imitation gun in public, you can be fined, arrested, or charged under the City of Edmonton Public Places Bylaw #14614 or the Criminal Code of Canada. 

 

If you use an imitation firearm in the commission of an offence, you face the same penalties as someone who uses a real firearm.  Possession of an imitation gun can cause you to breach any court-imposed conditions.  Your imitation gun can also be seized by police.

 

For more information on imitation gun safety, or to access multimedia materials, please visit http://ift.tt/29468mD.

 

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Suspect vehicle located in fatal hit and run

Edmonton Police Service Homicide Detectives are no longer looking for the suspect vehicle in the fatal hit and run from Sunday morning. The vehicle was located late yesterday evening (Monday, June 27, 2016) in Edmonton and seized for forensic examination.

The autopsy on the victim was completed today and Edmonton’s Medical Examiner has confirmed that Ryan Paul Jimmo, 34, died as a result of blunt force trauma.

Detectives continue to investigate and continue to ask the public for any tips about the incident.

Anyone with information about the hit and run 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/295PNhF

Largest meth seizure in EPS history

The Edmonton Police Service has charged a man after seizing more than $900,000 in drugs.

The Edmonton Drug and Gang Enforcement (EDGE) Unit was conducting a drug trafficking investigation on Wednesday, June 22, 2016. Upon observing drug-related activity, a vehicle stop was initiated and police seized four kilograms of cocaine from the vehicle.

A search warrant was subsequently executed on a residence in the area of 91 Avenue and 205 Street, where police seized three more kilograms of cocaine and over nine kilograms of methamphetamine.

The seized cocaine has an approximate street value of $525,000 and the methamphetamine has an approximate street value of $384,000.

Hoa Tran, 47, was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking (x3).

Tran is currently remanded and is due to appear in court on Thursday, June 30, 2016.

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Police release images of suspect vehicle in fatal hit and run

The Edmonton Police Service Homicide Section is releasing images of a suspect vehicle in connection with a fatal hit and run that left a man dead.

This vehicle was in the area of 82 Avenue and 101 Street on Sunday, June 26, 2016 shortly after the collision. The vehicle appears to be a dark-coloured, older model single-cab truck with a truck-bed cover, oversized tires with chrome rims, and clear tail lights.

The suspect vehicle was last seen travelling eastbound on Whyte Avenue near 99 Street. Police believe the vehicle was occupied by at least two Caucasian males.

It is reported there was a brief verbal altercation between the drivers of two separate vehicles. The driver of one vehicle, a 34-year-old man, approached the occupants of the second vehicle on foot. As he was walking back to his vehicle, it is alleged the suspect vehicle accelerated, struck the man and fled the area.

The man who was struck was treated and transported to hospital where he was declared deceased.

Officers from Homicide Section are asking the public to contact the EPS with information about this truck and its occupants that morning.

Anyone with information about this vehicle or 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/28Zf3CT