Between February and March 2019, several violent carjacking robberies and assaults occurred in Southeast Division involving two male suspects. Investigators have since identified one of the suspects as being Mauricio Ladino, 31, of Edmonton.
A search warrant was executed at a southwest Edmonton residence near 4th Avenue SW and 75 Street yesterday, Wednesday, March 20, 2019, where Ladino was arrested and taken into custody.
Investigators’ search of that residence uncovered a firearm, ammunition and further evidence in connection to the most recent incident, a March 18th carjacking near 5th Avenue and 77 Street.
Ladino is facing 12 charges including robbery (x4), numerous firearms offences, theft under $5,000, assault and possession of stolen property. A second male suspect is still being sought by police in connection to the carjacking series.
Police continue to look for two of the complainants’ vehicles, a red 2019 Kia Sportage, AB license # M58038, and a silver 2005 Chevy Cobalt, AB license # BVP 6483.
Anyone with information leading police to the whereabouts of these stolen vehicles, or the second suspect involved in these violent carjackings, is urged 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.
Background:
The Edmonton Police Service responded to several reports of carjackings with the first occurring on March 4, 2019, at approximately 7:30 p.m. Southeast Division officers responded to the parking lot of a business in the area of 23 Avenue and 24 Street.
On March 5, 2019, police again received reports of two additional carjackings in southeast Edmonton involving suspects of a similar description. The first incident occurred near 85 Street and 7 Avenue SW, with second incident occurring in a parking lot in the area of 70 Street and Stanton Dr. SW.
On March 18, 2019, it was reported to police that a male suspect with a firearm approached a male and female complainant sitting in their parked 2005 Chevy Cobalt near 5th Avenue SW and 77 Street. The suspect is then alleged to have assaulted the male driver of the vehicle, before threatening to shoot the complainants if they didn’t give him their vehicle. The complainants exited the vehicle, at which time the suspect reportedly fled the scene in the Cobalt.
Ladino has also since been charged for a similar incident that occurred back on Feb. 18, 2019, near Ellerslie Road and Edwards Drive, at approximately 3:30 p.m., involving an assault on a male complainant and an alleged theft of the complainant’s 2005 Jeep Liberty.