Suspect arrested for theft from vehicles

The Edmonton Police Service Targeted Offender Section arrested a man this morning, who is wanted for thefts from autos.

With the assistance of EPS Canine Unit, Duane Edward Laver, 37, was on outstanding warrants for possession of a weapon, carry concealed weapon, obstruction and possession of stolen property (x2) on Monday, Oct. 31, 2016 around 5 a.m. in the area of 155 Street and Stony Plain Road.

Charges are pending as police continue to investigate.

Background

Police have issued warrants for the arrest of a suspect after he allegedly broke into several vehicles in southwest Edmonton last week.

On Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016, police responded to a theft from auto call around 9:15 p.m. in the area of 204 Street and 54 Avenue. Upon arrival, police foot patrolled the area and located the suspect in an alley in the area of 203 Street and 56 Avenue. When the suspect was told he was being detained, he allegedly produced a weapon and fled from police.

EPS Canine Unit also responded to the scene in an attempt to locate the suspect. Residents were requested to stay indoors while Canine and police patrolled the neighbourhood; however the suspect was not located.

Police continued to speak to residents in the Hamptons neighbourhood to obtain more information. It was reported that the suspect tried to knock on several doors to seek assistance from neighbours.

Duane Edward Laver, 37, has warrants for his arrest for possession of a weapon, carry concealed weapon, obstruction and possession of stolen property (x2).

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Woman charged with second-degree murder in daughter’s death

Homicide Section detectives have charged an Edmonton woman with the 2015 death of her five-year-old daughter. West Division patrol members initially responded to a call from EMS for assistance at an address near 116 Avenue and 124 Street back on Oct. 12, 2015.

Upon arrival, officers found Shalaina Arcand, 5, being treated by paramedics for apparent head injuries. Paramedics rushed the young girl to hospital, where she eventually succumbed to her injuries on Oct. 16, 2015.

The Medical Examiner’s Office recently finalized its autopsy results and concluded that the five-year-old girl died as a result of head trauma.

Homicide investigators have since charged Lauren Lafleche, 29, Shalaina’s mother, with second-degree murder and assault with a weapon.



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EPS Homicide Section investigating suspicious death

The Edmonton Police Service is investigating a suspicious death this morning in west Edmonton.

At approximately 4:30 a.m. this morning, 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.

The EPS Homicide Section has taken over the investigation as the death is considered suspicious in nature. An autopsy has yet to be scheduled.

No additional information is available at this time.

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.

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Celebrate Halloween safely with tips from the Edmonton Police Service

Halloween is an exciting time of year for kids of all ages – ghosts and goblins take over the streets of Edmonton to collect treats and celebrate with family and friends.

This year, the Edmonton Police Service and the Office of Traffic Safety are giving away, “See Me” reflective tags that can be worn on jacket zippers, backpacks or a Halloween costume. Limited quantities are available for free at your local divisional police station.

Keep trick-or-treaters safe this Halloween with these tips from the Edmonton Police Service for parents, kids, motorists and homeowners:

Safety tips for parent and kids

• Kids should trick-or-treat in groups or with parents/guardians. If older kids go alone, designate areas for them to stay within, and set a time limit.
• Walk on well-lit streets and avoid alleys or dark areas. Kids shouldn’t go to houses that don’t have lights on, or that don’t look safe.
• Trick-or-treat on one side of the street, and then cross to the other. Never crisscross the street. 
• Carry a flashlight and cell phone in case of emergency. Leave valuables at home.
• Don’t carry anything that looks like a weapon.
• Ensure that you can see through a mask or makeup. Avoid long capes that can be easily tripped over. Make sure kids are dressed for the weather.
• Encourage your children to choose light-coloured costumes or costumes with reflective strips.  These costumes are easier for drivers to see.
• Check the candy your child brings home – throw out anything that is opened, suspicious, or home-made by someone you don’t know and trust.
• Warn your kids about participating in any vandalism or other mischief; these are crimes that will be investigated and charges could be laid.

Homeowners

• Turn on your porch light to let children know they’re welcome (or vice versa).
• Remove obstacles from yards and clear a path to the doorway.
• If you’re using candles in a jack-o-lantern, make sure the flames can’t come into contact with a child’s costume. Battery-powered lights are a safer alternative.

Driving responsibly

• Be extra vigilant driving in neighbourhoods with more children dressed up in costumes collecting treats.
• Adults enjoying the festivities with alcoholic beverages should have a designated driver or arrange a safe way to get home like taking public transit or a taxi.
• If you see a suspected impaired driver, call 911 to Curb the Danger.

Happy Halloween from the Edmonton Police Service!

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“Faith in humanity restored”

The Edmonton Police Service is shining light on a Good Samaritan in northeast Edmonton.

On Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016 around 1 p.m., two constables were driving in the area of 50 Street and 124 Avenue when they were waved down by a man. The man is known as a friendly person, who always says, “Hello” to police and is homeless.

The man said he was waiting for police to drive by so he could turn in a leather wallet he had found only 30 minutes earlier in an alley. The wallet contained cash, a debit card, a credit card, personal documents and prescription medication.

Identification in the wallet indicated that it belonged to a 96-year-old man.

Police contacted the senior citizen to hand deliver his missing wallet.

The 96-year-old man and his son were so relieved and grateful that his wallet was recovered.

After realizing all of his cash and cards were untouched, the senior told Northeast Division Const. Mark Rosenow, “My faith in humanity has been restored.”

The senior took the cash from his wallet and asked the officers to give it back to the homeless man as a gesture of thanks.

“The homeless man is very police friendly and his actions demonstrate his true character,” says Const. Rosenow.  

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Northeast residence search warrant yields firearms

The Edmonton Police Service conducted a search warrant on a residence yesterday that resulted in the seizure of firearms.

On Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016 the Northeast Division Beats Team, Tactical Unit and the Edmonton Drug and Gang Enforcement Unit (EDGE) conducted a search warrant around 5:30 p.m. in the area of 149 Avenue and 76 Street.

Police seized a loaded 9mm Glock, two SKS rifles, and a .22 calibre rifle. A magazine, ammunition, 6.8g of psilocybin mushrooms with a street value of $70 and drug paraphernalia were also seized.

Andras Kantona, 41, was charged with possession of firearm knowing possession is unauthorized (x4), careless use of a firearm, unauthorized possession of prohibited device or ammunition, possession knowing serial number is altered, defaced or removed and possession of a controlled substance.  

Police continue to investigate.

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Police lay charges in fatal collision at 97 Street and 160 Avenue

The Edmonton Police Service has charged a man in relation to a fatal collision earlier this week.

Eric Lestar, 20, is charged with impaired driving causing death, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death and refusal to comply with a blood demand.

This is Edmonton’s 23^rd traffic fatality of 2016.

Background

At approximately 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 24, 2016, police responded to the area of 97 Street and 160 Avenue regarding a collision. It was reported that a blue Nissan Xterra was travelling northbound on 97 Street when it was allegedly struck from behind by a white Infiniti G37. As a result of the impact, the Nissan caught fire and both vehicles veered into a ditch on the east side of the intersection.

Eric Lestar, the alleged operator of the Infiniti, was treated and transported to hospital by EMS with non-life-threatening injuries. The operator of the Nissan, a middle-aged female, was pronounced deceased on scene.

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