On Monday, May 15, 2017, at approximately 11:45 p.m. Southwest Division officers responded to the report of a disturbance in the area of 85 Avenue and 112 Street. Two University of Alberta Protective Services peace officers contacted EPS when they were reportedly pepper sprayed while arresting two individuals for outstanding provincial warrants.

A female was arrested for an outstanding bylaw warrant and was released with a Promise to Appear.

The male, who pepper sprayed the peace officers, was identified as Robert Brookes, 30, and fled the area on a bicycle.

Brookes is described as a Caucasian, approximately 5’11” tall and weighing 185 lbs. He was last seen wearing jeans, a black zip-up hoodie and a baseball cap.

Robert Brookes, 30

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Robert Brookes is asked to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567or #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.

At approximately 12 p.m. yesterday, Monday, May 22, 2017, West Division patrol officers were called to a residential area of 85 Avenue and 190 Street, after it was reported an 18-year-old male was struck by a truck following an altercation.

The 18-year-old man was treated and transported to hospital by EMS, where he succumbed to his injuries a short time later. An autopsy has been scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 24, 2017.

Homicide Detectives are releasing a photo of Justin Handbury, 31, who is wanted on murder-related warrants. A photo of the alleged vehicle driven by the suspect is also included (see below).

Justin Handbury, 31, wanted on warrants for murder

Photo of suspect vehicle: White Ford F150 extended cab

 with a headache rack and tidy tank

Investigators do not believe this was a random act, as the complainant and suspect were known to one another.

Police are asking anyone with information about the whereabouts of Handbury or the vehicle he was allegedly driving, 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.

Note: Every file is evaluated on a case by case basis. The EPS has decided not to release the name of the deceased in this investigation for the following reasons: it does not serve an investigative purpose, there is no risk to public safety and the EPS has a duty to protect the privacy rights of the victims and their families.  

At approximately 1 p.m., Saturday, May 20, 2017, Northwest patrol officers were called to a residence in the area of 135 Street and 124B Avenue to check on the welfare of a resident. Upon arrival police located a deceased male, Frederick John Dunn, 67, inside the residence with obvious signs of trauma to his body.

The EPS Homicide Section has since taken over the investigation.

“Our investigation leads us to believe that Mr. Dunn was killed sometime between Friday, May 12, 2017 and Saturday, May 13, 2017,” says Staff Sgt. Bill Clark with the EPS Homicide Section. “We urge anyone who saw or spoke to Mr. Dunn during that timeline, or in the days prior, to contact police immediately.”

Homicide detectives are releasing a photo of Walter James Jenkins (alias JJ), 34, who is wanted on a murder-related warrant in connection to the death of Dunn.

Investigators believe Jenkins may be in the Rimbey, Alberta area.

Walter James Jenkins (alias JJ), 34, wanted on warrant for murder

**Please note, Jenkins is believed to have a shaved head

Investigators do not believe the complainant and suspect were known to one another.

An autopsy was conducted this morning at 9 a.m. and the Edmonton Medical Examiner has determined the cause of death to be an incised wound of the neck. The manner of death has been deemed homicide.

Police are asking anyone with information about this suspicious death or the whereabouts of Jenkins 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.

2017 Victoria Day long weekend Checkstops resulted in seven impaired arrests and 12 roadside suspensions, as well as 31 other violations including traffic violations, outstanding warrants and suspended drivers.

During the 24-hour enforcement period from Friday, May 19 to Saturday, May 20, 2017, there were 926 speeding tickets issued by EPS officers. Other Traffic Safety Act violations, including distracted driving, accounted for 671 of the total violations issued. There were also five Criminal Code offences. Automated enforcement tickets for speeding and red light violations amounted to 2,055 over the 24-hour period.

Instances of excessive speeding over the weekend included a motorcycle travelling at 128 km/h northbound on Gateway Boulevard, and a motorcycle travelling 113 km/h on 137 Avenue near the Anthony Henday overpass, both in marked 60 km/h zones.

“The Victoria Day weekend is the first long weekend of the summer, and especially when the weather is good, we tend to see a rise in incidents of impaired driving and traffic violations,” says Sergeant Kerry Bates. “That’s why our officers were out enforcing traffic laws and removing impaired drivers from our city streets.”    

The Edmonton Police Service and the City of Edmonton coordinate regular enforcement campaigns throughout the year (such as Operation 24 Hours) to improve traffic safety on Edmonton’s roadways.

The Alberta Sheriffs found the male in Ponoka on Monday, May, 22, 2017.

He has since been reunited with family.

Thank you to the public and media who assisted police in locating this man.

“We would like to thank the citizens of Rimbey who were instrumental in passing on timely information regarding the whereabouts of Walter Jenkins,” says Staff Sgt. Bill Clark with the EPS Homicide Section.

“In addition, we would like to thank the Rimbey RCMP detachment who assisted us in the apprehension of Jenkins – this is a great example of the collaborative working relationships we have with our partners and the community.”

The Edmonton Police Service Homicide Section issued a warrant on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 for the arrest of Walter James Jenkins, 34, after Dunn was located deceased in his home on Saturday, May 20, 2017. Dunn died as a result of an incised wound of the neck and investigators believe he was murdered sometime between Friday, May 12, 2017 and Saturday, May 13, 2017.

Police are still looking to speak with anyone who saw or spoke to Mr. Dunn, specifically at the Westmount Mall food court, in the days leading up to his death.

Jenkins is charged with second degree murder and breaching a probation order (x2).

“Considering Mr. Dunn did not know the accused, we are very grateful to now have Jenkins in custody,” says Clark.

Homicide detectives are in the process of interviewing the accused. No further information is available at this time.

This is Edmonton’s 18^th homicide the year.

Police are asking anyone who spoke with Mr. Dunn in the days leading up to his 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.tipsubmit.com/start.htm.

The Edmonton Police Service Homicide Section issued a warrant on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 for the arrest of Justin Handbury, 31, in relation to death of an 18-year-old male on Monday, May 22, 2017. The deceased male was allegedly struck by a Ford F150 truck following an altercation in the city’s west end. The man succumbed to his injuries in hospital a short time later.

The Edmonton Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy yesterday, Wednesday, May 24, 2017, and the cause of death was deemed blunt craniocervical spine trauma. The manner of death is homicide.

The truck involved in this incident has since been recovered near Wetaskiwin, Alberta and investigators have determined it was stolen.

Handbury is charged with second degree murder, attempt to commit murder, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, possession of stolen property over $5,000, failing to stop at the scene of an accident (x2) and breach of recognizance (x3).

Police believe the accused and deceased were known to one another and do not believe this was a random act.  

Homicide Section continues to investigate.

No further information is available at this time.

The annual event, which takes place this Saturday, May 27, 2017, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Edmonton Expo Centre, Hall A, will bring together 100 children from the Boys and Girls Clubs Big Brother Big Sisters of Edmonton.

The festival is designed to provide children with the necessary bicycle skills to stay safe on city streets. Thanks to various organizations, all participants will also go home with a free helmet, lock and bell, and some children, who don’t currently have a bicycle, will take home a bike to call their own.

Southeast Division patrol officers responded to a hit-and-run collision call at approximately 4:45 p.m., today, Thursday, May 25, 2017, near 19 Avenue and 49 Street in the neighbourhood of Pollard Meadows.

Upon arrival, officers found a man lying on 19 Avenue in serious medical duress. The complainant was treated and transported to hospital by paramedics with critical, non-life-threatening injuries. 

It was reported to police that the male complainant was standing on the sidewalk and speaking with the driver of a parked vehicle, when he allegedly ran northbound across 19 Avenue, where he was struck by an eastbound truck.

The truck and driver are believed to have fled the scene of the collision, as well as the driver of the unknown parked vehicle. Major Collision Investigations Unit has since obtained surveillance images of a suspect vehicle that struck the pedestrian leaving the scene of the collision (see below). The vehicle is described as a dark grey GMC Sierra or Chevy Silverado with tinted tail light covers and a black front bumper.

Investigators would like to speak to anyone who has information regarding the collision, the whereabouts of the grey truck and/or its driver, as well as the driver of the parked vehicle.

Anyone with information about this collision is asked to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567or #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.

In July 2016, a male and female met through an online dating website. After several conversations, the two began meeting for coffee dates.

On October 13, 2016, they met for coffee as per usual and then decided to go for a walk in Hermitage Park.

The male, a taxi driver, drove the female to the park in his cab around 6 p.m., where it was reported that he allegedly sexually assaulted the female.

The complainant reported the incident on October 25, 2016 to the RCMP, who then forwarded the file to EPS to investigate.

Tarek Diab, 43, was charged on Monday, May 22, 2017 with sexual assault causing bodily harm.

Investigators believe there may be other complainants that have had similar interactions with Diab and are asking them to come forward to police.  

If you have any information, please contact the Edmonton Police Service at 780-423-4567or #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.

On Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at approximately 11 p.m., Southeast Division officers responded to the report of a break-and-enter at a holding yard. Upon further investigation, police determined that two semi-trucks with trailers were stolen from the yard at approximately 7 p.m. that same evening. Both trailers reportedly contained large volumes of beer destined for Saskatchewan.

Officers recovered the semi-trucks and trailers on Friday, May 5, 2017 in an industrial area near 56 Avenue and 67 Street. Unfortunately, the trailers were empty.

Police believe the total estimated value of the stolen beer to be approximately $160,000.

The two recovered semi-trucks, a white 2008 Freightliner and a burgundy 2009 Freightliner, were each pulling a trailer, one burgundy with a large white decal and one white with a large burgundy decal. Stock photos of the truck and trailer are below.

Police are asking anyone with information about this theft to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567or #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.

Wyatt Schoenknecht, 21, of Hondo, Alberta, turned himself into Slave Lake RCMP at approximately 3 p.m., Friday, May 26, 2017, on the heels of media reports that aired across the province over the last few days.

A residential surveillance camera captured pictures of the accused’s GM truck leaving the scene of a pedestrian hit-and-run collision near 19 Avenue and 49 Street in the neighbourhood of Pollard Meadows Thursday afternoon.

Schoenknecht is charged with hit and run causing bodily harm.

The 20-year-old male complainant allegedly struck by Schoenknecht’s vehicle remains in hospital recovering from serious injuries.

Background:
Southeast Division patrol officers responded to a hit-and-run collision call at approximately 4:45 p.m., Thursday, May 25, 2017, near 19 Avenue and 49 Street in the neighbourhood of Pollard Meadows.

Upon arrival, officers found a man lying on 19 Avenue in serious medical duress. The complainant was treated and transported to hospital by paramedics with critical, non-life-threatening injuries. 

It was reported to police that the male complainant was standing on the sidewalk and speaking with the driver of a parked vehicle, when he suddenly ran northbound across 19 Avenue, where he was struck by an eastbound truck.

The truck and driver are believed to have fled the scene of the collision, as well as the driver of the unknown parked vehicle.

                                            
Investigators would still like to speak to the driver of the parked vehicle and to anyone else who has information regarding this incident to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567or #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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Northeast Division patrol members responded to a residential address near 142 Avenue and 77 Street, at approximately 7 a.m., at the request of EMS.

Upon arrival, officers learned that a sixth-month-old male child was deceased at that address. The Medical Examiner’s Office has scheduled an autopsy for Monday morning.

No further information is available at this time. 

West Division patrol officers responded to a weapons complaint at a residential address in the neighbourhood of Mayfield at approximately 8:45 a.m., Sunday, May 28, 2017.

It was reported to police that an unknown male suspect fired multiple rounds at a residence near 159 Street and 107A Avenue. Fortunately, none of the residents inside the dwelling were struck by the bullets.

West Division patrol officers responded to a second weapons complaint in the same Mayfield neighhourhood, at approximately 4 p.m. Sunday. Investigators believe that at least two rounds were fired at a residence near 161 Street and 107A Avenue. Again, no injuries were reported as a result of this shooting.

Witnesses told police that a white SUV, possibly a GMC Terrain, being driven by a young Caucasian male with blonde hair was spotted fleeing both shooting scenes.

Police are asking anyone with information about these shootings, the individual responsible, or the whereabouts of the suspect vehicle to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567or #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.

Autopsy results released this afternoon by the Medical Examiner’s Office were unable to confirm the cause of death of a six-month-old infant male child pending further tests.

The infant was found deceased at a residence near 142 Avenue and 77 Street yesterday morning, Sunday, May 28, 2017.

No further information is available at this time.

Background:
Northeast Division patrol members responded to a residential address near 142 Avenue and 77 Street, at approximately 7 a.m., at the request of EMS.

Upon arrival, officers learned that a six-month-old male child was deceased at that address.

At 1:19 a.m. Northeast Division police officers responded to a weapons complaint and report of a man lying on the ground suffering from gunshot wound(s). EMS attended to the victim, who was later declared deceased in hospital.

The victim has been identified as Justin Nicholas Allen, 28. Detectives are releasing the victim’s name for investigative purposes and are asking witnesses to come forward with information.

“We want to speak with anyone who had contact with Justin just before he was killed,” says Staff Sgt. Duane Hunter of Homicide Section. “He’s known to frequent a pub in the area where he was found this morning.”

An autopsy has been scheduled for tomorrow morning at 9 a.m.

This is Edmonton’s 19^th homicide of 2017.

Anyone with information about what led up to the death or about the suspects are 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.

At approximately 10:30 a.m. on January 27, 2011, three men broke into a suite in the area of 90 Street and Jasper Avenue occupied by a 38-year-old woman and her seven-month-old child. The three men allegedly forced their way into the suite, demanded money and threatened the woman with her life.

During the initial investigation in 2011, two of the three male suspects were identified and charged. Earlier this week, and six years after the incident, police were notified by the National DNA Data Bank of a DNA match to the third outstanding suspect.

Bradley Bruce, 35, is charged with break and enter to commit robbery, uttering threats and unlawful confinement.

“Because of the diligent and persistent work done by our EPS Crime Scene Investigation Unit, we were ultimately able to identify our final suspect in this investigation,” says Const. Scott Neilson with EPS’ Downtown Division.

The three accused males were not known to the woman or her child.  

Bruce is expected to appear in court tomorrow, Friday, June 2, 2017 at 9 a.m..

Between June 2012 and February 2014, shipping containers belonging to a west end storage company were being sold to unsuspecting customers, either through Kijiji or through an incorporated company set up to manage the scam.

“The storage company didn’t find out what was happening until their accountant uncovered an invoice that was unpaid. When they followed up on this invoice, they found out that the purchaser didn’t exist,” says Det. Linda Herczeg of the Economic Crimes Unit. “The fraudulent invoice was used to purchase shipping containers that were then sold through a separate company.”

When the fraud was discovered in February of 2014, both employees were terminated, and the company contacted police. The total loss to the storage company is in excess of $400,000.

Following an investigation that concluded on May 31, 2017, Adelheid (Heidi) Baxter, 57 and Travis Roe, 40, are each being charged with fraud over $5,000.

Both accused are expected to appear in court July 11, 2017.