On Sunday, July 2, 2017 at approximately 8:15 a.m. Southeast Division officers responded to the report of a hit-and-run collision in the area of 72 Street and 21 Avenue SW. Upon arrival, officers found a 2013 Toyota Highlander SUV that had collided with a parked 2010 Dodge Ram truck causing the truck to collide with another parked vehicle in the immediate vicinity. Witnesses reported that the male driver of the Highlander had exited the vehicle and fled northbound between houses in the area.
The EPS Canine team was called in to assist and PSD Finn and his handler were able to successfully track the driver to a nearby backyard. The male was then arrested without incident and found to be in possession of two backpacks containing various quantities of drugs and cash.
In total, officers seized 46.1 g of fentanyl powder, 2.9 g of meth and 6.4 g of cocaine with a total estimated street value of $14,000.
“Thanks to the assistance of witnesses and the EPS Canine Unit, a hit-and-run suspect was quickly apprehended and a significant quantity of fentanyl was removed from Edmonton streets,” says Const. Danielle Pelletier with Southeast Division.
Mark Bratraki, 42, has been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a controlled substance (x2), possess stolen property (proceeds of crime) and fail to comply with a probation order (x2).