The Edmonton Police Service is investigating a suspicious death that occurred Thursday in west Edmonton.
West Division patrol officers responded to a 911 call for assistance at an apartment building near 154 Street and 84 Avenue on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019.
Upon arrival, officers discovered the body of a deceased male inside the apartment building.
Homicide detectives have since taken over the investigation. The Edmonton Medical Examiner’s Office has yet to schedule an autopsy.
No further details are being released at this time.
Anyone with information in relation to this suspicious death 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 atwww.tipsubmit.com/start.htm
The Edmonton Police Service is asking for the public's help locating a missing 27-year-old woman.
Candace Ducharme, 27,was last seen on Friday, Nov. 1, 2019, in the area of 99 Street and 106 Avenue.
Ducharmeis described as 5’7” tall, 163 pounds, with brown eyes. Ducharme’s hair colour is known to change frequently and has ranged from black to brown with blonde highlights. Ducharme also has a tattoo of “Barker” on her left forearm.
Missing: Candace Ducharme, 27
Ducharmehas not been in contact with family and as a result, there are concerns for her well-being. There are, however, no indications of foul play at this time.
Anyone who has information about Ducharme’s disappearance 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
Charges have been laid against three youths in Scotland and charges are pending against another youth in England after a series of shooting and bomb threats were made to schools in five countries earlier this year.
On February 11, 2019, multiple Edmonton schools began receiving phone calls threatening either a bomb or impending attack by an armed suspect. The calls were made using an online calling app, and the caller reportedly had a Scottish or British accent. The schools were placed on heightened alert, and in some cases initiated lockdown procedures while EPS patrol officers responded.
The EPS School Resource Officer Unit immediately began coordinating with all the affected schools, and it quickly became evident that these calls were part of a large-scale hoax. The EPS Cyber Crime Investigations Unit (CCIU) was able to link these calls to similar calls being made to Calgary schools, and a school in Texas, USA. In total, nine schools and one bank in Edmonton and five schools in Calgary received hoax phone calls over the course of February 11, 12 and 20, 2019.
Following an extensive investigation, the calls were traced back to the UK. After contacting their counterparts in the UK, CCIU learned that these calls had been linked to over 80 similar hoax calls made to the Netherlands, England, Scotland, and the USA.
“The amount of school and police resources these calls take up, not to mention the distress they cause to children, teachers and parents, is unacceptable,” says Det Philip Hawkins, with EPS CCIU. “We left no stone unturned in this lengthy investigation, even across international borders, and three suspects are now facing charges in their home country,” adds Det. Hawkins.
The investigation, which included collaboration from police services in Canada, the USA, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom has resulted in numerous charges against three youths, who are between the ages of 15 and 17, and thus cannot be named.
Each of the three youths are facing these charges under Scottish law:
Section 51 Criminal Law 1977
Section 127 Communications Act 2003
Section 38 Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010
Section 85 Postal Services Act 2000
Common law – Wasting Police Time
Common law – Culpable and Reckless Conduct
“While we were able to identify early on that these calls were a hoax, we take these occurrences very seriously,” says Sgt. Em Chan, with the EPS School Resource Officer (SRO) Unit. “Our SROs were able to alert and coordinate with all Edmonton schools to help mitigate the impact and keep everyone as safe, calm and reassured as possible.”
In total, the February 2019 series of hoax calls resulted in the deployment of 47 EPS vehicles and affected more than 4,000 Edmonton students, with six Edmonton schools placed in lockdown for a cumulative total of 4.75 hours.
The Edmonton Police Service in partnership with Deaf and Hear Alberta have developed a new tool to help police officers and drivers with hearing loss communicate more effectively with one another.
“We understand that being stopped by police can be a stressful situation for a motorist, and even more so if there is a communication barrier between you and that officer,” says Const. Trevor Claydon, with EPS Traffic Services.
“Last year I had an interaction with a Deaf driver where communication was a concern. I wanted to do something more to help us understand each other better, break down the barriers, and reduce the stress during the traffic stop.”
Const. Claydon discovered that police agencies across North America had similar problems, and some had created information cards to aid with communication. This prompted the traffic constable to work with Edmonton’s Deaf and hard of hearing community to develop a similar tool to meet the needs of both officers and drivers.
The card’s design is simple and straightforward, with common visual symbols and text that can be pointed to by either party to facilitate conversation.
One side of the card informs the officer that the driver has hearing loss, provides communication tips, as well as the best options to communicate with the particular driver. Side two includes the various reasons for the traffic stop, what documentation the officer may require from the driver, and symbols for the driver to request various forms of assistance.
Drivers are encouraged to keep the card in their vehicles where it is easily accessible, preferably on their sun visor or with their vehicle documents. EPS officers involved in vehicle stops will also carry the card in their police cruiser.
Cards are available free of charge to the public at all EPS division stations, as well as at the Deaf and Hear Alberta office located in the Alberta School for the Deaf.
The new communication card is one of the many ways that EPS is working together with the Deaf and hard of hearing community to address their needs, reduce barriers, and improve public safety.
“EPS officers deal with members of the Deaf and hard of hearing community on a regular basis, and while we utilize Text with 911 and TTY technology for emergency and complaint calls, and offer training and interpreters when needed, we can still face challenges communicating one-on-one,” says Deputy Chief Greg Preston.
“The visual nature of the card will help us share information more effectively and bridge these communication gaps, so we can continue to provide the same level of service to all members of the community.”
In Canada, Deaf persons are entitled to equal treatment and access to services under the law. The Canadian Hearing Society reports that there are 3.15 million Canadians who are hard of hearing, and 340,000 who are Deaf.
It is a common misconception that Deaf people do not drive. Driving tests are the same for everyone, and hearing is not a factor for auto insurance. Numerous studies have recognized that individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing are as safe as drivers who can hear.
“Whether you have a mild hearing loss or profound deafness, hearing less does not mean living less,” says Cindy Pilz, Deaf Services Manager with Deaf and Hear Alberta.
“Our vision is a world where the Deaf, hard of hearing, and those at risk of hearing loss, are recognized and respected so they can fully participate in society, and this placard aims to do just that. With the placard in place, I feel it will make a huge impact, and this initiative shows how much the Edmonton Police Service really cares about our community.”
The Edmonton Police Service has charged a 28-year-old male in relation to the homicide of Ruben Baker, 21.
At approximately 1:20 p.m., Monday, Jan. 1, 2018, Southeast Division officers responded to the report of a deceased male found in the area of 92 Avenue and 77 Street.
The Edmonton Medical Examiner completed an autopsy on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018, and investigators determined the manner of death ofRuben Baker, 21,to be a homicide. The cause of death will not be released.
On Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019, Bradley Michael Belanger, 28, was charged with first degree murder. Belanger was incarcerated for unrelated offences at the time charges were laid and remains in custody at this time.
The Edmonton Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a man who is wanted on Canada-wide warrants.
Kevin Bernavil, 30,failed to attend a scheduled court appearance on Nov. 26, 2019, and is wanted on Canada-wide warrants for human trafficking and 11 additional charges.
Bernavilis described as a black male, 5’2” tall and 190 lbs. He is known to wear prescription glasses.
Bernavilis known to be violent and should not be approached.
Anyone with information about his 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 atwww.p3tips.com/250.
If Bernavil is located outside of Edmonton, contact your local police agency.
The Edmonton Police Service has issued arrest warrants for Paul Michael Egotak, 29, who allegedly breached conditions of his court order.
Egotakis wanted for breach of recognizance and breach of peace bond (x4).
He poses a great risk to the public and is considered by police to be a violent offender, most notably while under the influence of substances.
Paul Michael Egotak, 29:
Violent Offender
Egotak is described as 5’3” tall, 134 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He is considered violent and dangerous, and should not be approached.
Anyone with any information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the EPS immediately at 780-423-4567or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or onlineatwww.p3tips.com/250.
