The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) has laid over 70 charges against two men after 28 firearms and thousands of identity documents were recovered in connection to a 16-month long investigation.
In late 2018, police were called to a residence in Edmonton regarding a prolific offender who was released on conditions back into the community. When investigators from the EPS’ Targeted Offenders Section attended the residence, they were unable to locate the individual in question, 35-year-old Matthew Stuthard.
About a week later, on Nov. 18, 2018, investigators conducted a vehicle stop on a Dodge Durango and located Stuthard, as well as another male, 25-year-old Alexander Alarie, wanted on outstanding warrants. Investigators located two firearms inside the vehicle and determined the Durango was stolen. Both men had a combined total of 97 outstanding warrants and were taken into custody.
Upon further investigation, multiple search warrants were obtained for residences, vehicles and a storage locker where a total of 28 non-restricted firearms were seized, along with two crossbows and a compound bow. In addition, approximately 2,300 stolen and fraudulent identification documents were recovered, including equipment to produce the fraudulent identification.
Both Matthew Stuthard and Alexander Alarie are collectively charged with 77 offences including weapons trafficking, identity theft and other drug-related offences. Both accused are scheduled to appear in court on March 20, 2020.
In 2018, the EPS took a total of 1,550 firearms off the streets. Last year, in 2019, that number increased to 1,772.
So far this year, 313 firearms have been recovered.
Targeted Offender Section’s mandate is to create a safer city by reducing victimization through the management and enforcement of judicial conditions against those offenders labeled as priority prolific offenders, gang members, serious high-risk violent offenders, and high-risk sexual offenders. The Section is also responsible for the management of offenders on pre-trial release (offenders released on a recognizance) and post-trial release (offenders released on probation and/or parole).
About a week later, on Nov. 18, 2018, investigators conducted a vehicle stop on a Dodge Durango and located Stuthard, as well as another male, 25-year-old Alexander Alarie, wanted on outstanding warrants. Investigators located two firearms inside the vehicle and determined the Durango was stolen. Both men had a combined total of 97 outstanding warrants and were taken into custody.
Upon further investigation, multiple search warrants were obtained for residences, vehicles and a storage locker where a total of 28 non-restricted firearms were seized, along with two crossbows and a compound bow. In addition, approximately 2,300 stolen and fraudulent identification documents were recovered, including equipment to produce the fraudulent identification.
Both Matthew Stuthard and Alexander Alarie are collectively charged with 77 offences including weapons trafficking, identity theft and other drug-related offences. Both accused are scheduled to appear in court on March 20, 2020.
In 2018, the EPS took a total of 1,550 firearms off the streets. Last year, in 2019, that number increased to 1,772.
So far this year, 313 firearms have been recovered.
Targeted Offender Section’s mandate is to create a safer city by reducing victimization through the management and enforcement of judicial conditions against those offenders labeled as priority prolific offenders, gang members, serious high-risk violent offenders, and high-risk sexual offenders. The Section is also responsible for the management of offenders on pre-trial release (offenders released on a recognizance) and post-trial release (offenders released on probation and/or parole).