Police seek information on hit-and-run

The Edmonton Police Service is looking for witnesses or tips related to a hit-and-run of an eight-year-old boy that occurred in northeast Edmonton on July 24.

On July 24, 2019, at approximately 6:45 p.m., police responded to a report of a vehicle striking a child on 155 Avenue near the intersection of 67 Street. It was reported that an eight-year-old boy had been struck while riding his bicycle, and that a truck fled the scene.

 

The child was treated and transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Witnesses on scene advised police that the vehicle in question was a grey truck of unknown make and model, and had last been seen heading westbound on 155 Avenue. Police were not able to obtain a license plate or driver description.

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Investigators seek public’s assistance in locating person of interest, vehicle, in connection to May 27th fire

The Edmonton Police Service’s Arson Unit is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a person of interest and vehicle in connection to a May 27, 2019 arson in downtown Edmonton.

At approximately 1 a.m. on May 27, 2019, EPS Downtown Division patrol members and Edmonton Fire Rescue Services responded to a fire at the Boyle Street Community Services building located at 10116 105 Ave.

Arson detectives eventually took over the investigation, after the fire was deemed to be intentionally set. Surveillance images obtained by investigators show suspects using an extension ladder to access the roof of the complex.

Investigators have since determined that the suspects poured an accelerant on the roof of the community services building. The suspects then lit the accelerant, causing damage to the roof and wiring. 

Thankfully, no one in the building at that time sustained any injuries from the fire.

Investigators are releasing images of a person of interest described as a bald, bearded male with a medium build, who was driving a 1994-2002 maroon-coloured Dodge Ram regular cab truck.

Anyone with information regarding the identity of this person of interest and/or the whereabouts of this Dodge Ram 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.tipsubmit.com/start.htm.

 

 

Surveillance Images capture a "person of interest" and a maroon-coloured Dodge Ram pick-up truck outside of the Boyle Street Community

Services building on May 27, 2019. A fire was set on the roof of the building in the early-morning hours on May 27, 2019.  It has since been deemed an arson.

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Your dream job could be a financial nightmare

The Edmonton Police Service is reminding citizens to be cautious when seeking employment online.

Between Jan. 1, 2019 and July 15, 2019 the Edmonton Police Service has received 93 reports of online employment scams with an overall loss of $240,925.83

 

Scammers are using advanced tactics to appear legitimate. Scammers use a ‘fake maker’ to construct a realistic online presence to help sell the scam. They create fake company websites or clone real ones, fake banks with websites, official looking employment documents like offer forms, tax forms, personal information forms, and banking deposit information forms.

 

The Scam:

1. You post your resume on an employment website (LinkedIn, Monster, ZipRecruiter, Facebook, Indeed, Craigslist, Kijiji, or CareerBuilder) or scammer creates a job posting on one of these websites.
2. Scammer contacts you with a job offer and initiates an online interview through email, video chat, or text message.
3. Shortly after the interview, they award you with the job opportunity and provide a number of employment documents for you to complete so they can receive your personal and banking information.
4. Once employment begins, you are told that you have to use your bank accounts to manage financial transactions until you are no longer in training. It is simply a security risk for their company to give you access to their financial accounts this early on.
5. Money is transferred to you through e-transfers or a fraudulent business cheque or bank draft is delivered to your home. This money is for ‘expensive equipment and supplies’ for yourself or a client. You are asked to deposit the money immediately and send it to the ‘client’.
6. You have to send the money to the ‘client’ by way of Bitcoin and Ethereum crypto currency, iTunes cards, Interact e-Transfer, vouchers purchased through Flexepin, or direct deposit into a third party bank account provided by the scammer.
7. This will continue until your bank picks up on the fraudulent deposits and transactions or until you determine this job does not feel quite right. Banks proactively monitor the accounts in their financial institutions and will typically identify fraudulent activity within one or two transactions and lock down your bank account(s) or even block your mobile phone(s) so you cannot access their online banking. This is done to protect both you and the financial institution from fraudulent activity.
   
   

Online employment scammers post for a wide variety of positions, but they are primarily work from home jobs. Examples of the fake job titles include:

• Caregiver/ babysitter
• Admin assistant/ receptionist/ executive assistant/ personal assistant
• Couriers/ drivers/ shuttle driver/ chauffeur
• Elder care/ personal helper
• Mystery shopper/ secret shopper
• Pet sitter
• Customer service evaluation officer
• Book keeper
• Data clerk
• Accountant
• Cryptocurrency processing operator
• Logistics coordinator
• On vehicle decal advertising
• Sales support
• Manager
• Analyst
• Payroll manager
• Tutor
  
  

Remember: Anyone can fall victim to these scams. Scammers do this for a living and have many people helping them build their elaborate scams. They take legitimate company and employee details and incorporate them into their scheme.

 

Online employment websites and social media platforms are aware of these scams and continually identify and remove fraudulent profiles and job postings. The EPS also works with financial institutions and these online sites to maintain safe environments for users; however it is important for you to take the time to research the offer's validity.

 

Please see our website for fraud prevention tips and additional online employment scam details.

 

If you have been a victim of fraud, please report to police at 780-423-4567 or come into a police station. If you suspect a job posting or offer is fraud, but have not been a victim of the scam, please report it to the hosting website and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501. 

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Woman facing animal cruelty charges in relation to alleged puppy mill

A 57-year-old Edmonton woman is facing various animal cruelty charges in connection to an alleged puppy mill business discovered recently in northeast Edmonton.

Northeast Division officers, along with Animal Care and Control peace officers, attended a rural property near 247 Avenue and 18 Street on Sunday, July 28, 2019, following reports of serious neglect from several consumers looking to purchase puppies. The puppies were posted for sale to an online website.

A total of 72 dogs, mostly Havanese puppies ranging in ages from two-week-old puppies to adults, were located inside a residence. Several of the puppies were hidden from investigators inside a closet and beneath a hutch in the residence.

The dogs showed signs of severe neglect and potential illness, and thus were seized by the Animal Care and Control members. The puppies are currently undergoing physical examinations at the city’s Animal Control and Care facility.

Gloria Sears, 57, was charged under both the Criminal Code and Animal Protection Act for causing animals to be in distress and for failing to provide adequate care. She is also facing additional charges under the APA, including causing an animal to be in distress, failing to provide adequate food and water and failing to provide adequate shelter, space and ventilation.

Investigators would also like to speak with any other potential consumers, who may have visited the property. Anyone with information 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.tipsubmit.com/start.htm.

City of Edmonton Animal Care and Control seized the animals, and is now conducting medical assessments. Questions on the animal seizure can be directed to Chrystal Coleman, 780-944-7528.

           

 

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Traffic Section investigating fatal pedestrian collision

The EPS is investigating a fatal pedestrian collision that occurred this afternoon in south Edmonton.

At approximately 4:40 p.m. today, Saturday, July 27, 2019, Southeast Division officers responded to the report of a collision on Gateway Boulevard northbound between 41 Avenue SW and the Gateway Park Information Centre. It was reported to police that a male pedestrian ran into traffic when he was struck by a Ford Expedition SUV travelling northbound on Gateway Boulevard.

 

EMS was dispatched to the collision; however, the 57-year-old male pedestrian succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The female driver and passenger in the Expedition did not report any injuries.

 

Officers have reduced Gateway Boulevard northbound to one lane between 41 Avenue SW and the information centre as they continue to investigate. Motorists are encouraged to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.

 

The EPS Major Collision Investigations Section has since taken over the investigation. There is no additional information available at this time.

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Public information and warning: Violent offender released

In the interest of public safety, the Edmonton Police Service is issuing the following warning; Matthew Marty Powder is a convicted violent offender and the Edmonton Police Service has reasonable grounds to believe he is a risk of significant harm to the public and will commit another violent offence against someone while in the community.

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

 

Powder has a history of violent offences causing bodily harm to both male and female victims, known and unknown to him, in addition to using weapons while committing the offences.  Powder’s risk for violence increases significantly while under the influence of any intoxicants.

 

Powder has been placed on a series of court ordered conditions including:

 

• He must abide by a curfew of 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. daily.

• He shall not purchase, possess or consume any alcoholic beverages. He shall not consume or possess any drug listed in the schedules of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act including cannabis, any prescription drugs not prescribed to him, or any other intoxicating substances.

• He shall not be in any licensed premises other than a dining room for the sole purpose of having a meal.  He shall not attend at any liquor store.

• He shall not possess any drug paraphernalia such as crack or marijuana pipes, self-made pipes of any kind, e-cigarettes, bongs, water pipes, cigarette papers, or syringes.

• He must not travel out of the City of Edmonton without written approval of his Supervisor or the Provincial Court of Alberta.

• He must not be in possession of weapons of any kind, including knives (except in his residence or at a restaurant for the sole purpose of consuming a meal), bear spray or dog spray, firearms, ammunition, explosive material, or any weapons whether homemade or otherwise.

• He shall not enter into a dating, intimate, sexual relationship with any person or any friendships with females until her identity has been disclosed to his Supervisor or designate and she has been informed of his previous offending by his Supervisor.

             

Anyone with any information about any potential breaches of these conditions by Powder can contact the EPS at 780-423-4567.

 

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. 

Matthew Marty Powder, 47

Height: 5’9”

Weight: 190 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.

 

The information in this release is that which was verifiable prior to the release time indicated. Continued investigation and review could result in additional information or clarification.

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Police seek public's assistance locating missing woman

The Edmonton Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing 32-year-old woman.

Patricia Wendy Pangracs was last heard from on Friday, June 7, 2019, and was reported missing on Monday, July 8, 2019. Police believe Pangracs was in Edmonton or the surrounding area.

Pangracs is 5’5” tall and 130 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes.

Pangracs’ disappearance is out of character, and police are therefore concerned for her wellbeing.

Missing person: Patricia Wendy Pangracs, 32

Anyone with information regarding Pangracs’ whereabouts is encouraged to call the Edmonton Police Service Complaint Line at 780-423-4567 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or submit a tip online at www.p3tips.com/250.

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