Northeast Division members converged on a location and arrested a male at approximately 4:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, 2014.
The suspect will remain in custody until charges can be sworn before a justice, either over the weekend or early next week.
Further details will be released at that time.
Background:
The Edmonton Police Service is investigating a violent assault and car theft outside a popular west-end strip mall, and is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect and locating the stolen vehicle.
EPS West Division patrol officers responded to a report of vehicle being stolen from its owner at gunpoint in the area of 170 Street and 99 Avenue at approximately 7:50 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014. It was reported that a 46-year-old woman was walking with a seven-year-old girl in the parking lot of a retail strip mall when she was approached by an unknown man.
The man allegedly pointed what appeared to be a handgun, and demanded the woman’s purse and car keys. The woman and girl attempted to flee, but the man allegedly threw the woman to the ground and assaulted her. Numerous bystanders intervened, but the man pointed his weapon at them and everyone ran for safety.
It was also reported that the unknown man ran towards a bystander’s vehicle that was left running nearby, and threatened the 56-year-old male owner of the vehicle with the gun, before stealing the car and fleeing the scene.