Media Releases

Police lay charges in theft of statue, address signs

24 Apr 2025 20:30:00 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) has charged a 43-year-old Edmonton man in relation to the theft of the Emily Murphy statue in February.

On Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, police were notified by the City of Edmonton that the bronze statue had been removed from Emily Murphy park as of Monday, Feb. 24. It was also reported to police that the stand-alone plaque positioned next to the statue was noted missing by City staff the week prior, on Wednesday, Feb. 19. Both the statue and plaque were last seen together and intact on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025.

Additionally, between Feb. 26 and March 9, 2025, police received seven reports of decorative address plates that had been stolen from residences in west Edmonton. In total, the estimated value of the stolen statue and address plates was over $250,000.

On March 13, 2025, police executed a search warrant on a residence in southeast Edmonton believed to be linked to the thefts. Following the search warrant and further investigation, police recovered portions of the statue and signs at an Edmonton metal recycler.

On April 2, 2025, investigators arrested and charged Manuel Antonio Saavedra, 43, with possession of stolen property for the purpose of trafficking over $5,000 (x2) and proceeds of crime (x2).

Police seek tips, video footage related to road rage incident

23 Apr 2025 15:58:00 UT

On April 10, 2025, at approximately 2:35 p.m., it was reported to police that a Harley Davidson motorcycle and white Dodge Ram truck with a trailer were involved in a road rage incident. The incident occurred at the intersection of 103A Street and Ellerslie Road before both vehicles were last seen proceeding westbound to Heritage Valley Trail and Anthony Henday Drive. It was reported to police that the driver of the Dodge Ram truck and the Harley Davidson ran through red lights while on Ellerslie Road.

Police continue to investigate and are seeking information from witnesses or dash cam footage that may assist them with their investigation. Maps of the incident location and the location both vehicles were last seen are included below.

Road rage incident location: 103A Street and Ellerslie Road

Location vehicles last seen: Heritage Valley Trail and Anthony Henday Drive

Police seek assistance locating missing senior

23 Apr 2025 01:14:40 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing 66-year-old man.

Missing person: Brian Potts, 66 years old

Brian Potts was last seen at approximately 10 a.m. on Thursday April 10, 2025, in the area of 111 Avenue and 135 Street.

After getting off the #3 bus to Westmount at the 111 Avenue and 135 Street stop, he reportedly walked northbound towards the Westmount shopping center, leaving the parking lot on the southeast side after 10 a.m.

Potts is described as 5’8” tall, and 177 lbs, with a medium build, dark eyes and dark hair.

He was last seen wearing tan pants and an Oilers hoodie, as shown in the photos below.

He has reportedly expressed an interest in visiting Fort McMurray.

Missing: Brian Potts, 66

Potts has medical concerns that may cause him to become disoriented, and as such, family and police are concerned for his welfare. He is known to frequent the Stony Plain Road area in Edmonton.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone.

Police seek public’s assistance identifying suspect in convenience store robbery

22 Apr 2025 16:30:52 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is seeking the public’s assistance identifying a male suspect following the robbery of a convenience store in central Edmonton.

On Dec. 28, 2024, at approximately 12:30 a.m., a male armed with a machete robbed a convenience store in the area of 142 Street and 118 Avenue before fleeing on foot. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.

The male suspect was seen wearing a hoodie with dark grey sleeves that had the hood pulled tight around his face, a baseball hat with a grey rim, sunglasses and dark pants and shoes. The suspect was also observed wearing dark gloves and carrying a large machete and a collapsible baton, as pictured below.

Police are seeking assistance identifying the suspect in the images below.

Assist to ID: armed robbery suspect, male

Dec. 28, 2024

Assist to ID: armed robbery suspect, male

Dec. 28, 2024

Assist to ID: armed robbery suspect, male

Dec. 28, 2024

Police lay charges related to 2023 sudden death

17 Apr 2025 20:55:00 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) has laid charges in relation to a sudden death that took place in June 2023.

On June 16, 2023, police began investigating a sudden death that took place in the Court of King’s Bench secure detainee holding area at the Edmonton Law Courts Building. It was reported to police that, following a sentencing hearing, a 43-year-old accused male was taken into custody by Alberta Sheriffs and experienced a medical emergency in the Law Courts prisoner holding area. EMS and Edmonton Fire Rescue Services (EFRS) attended; however, the man was pronounced deceased on scene.

Following an investigation, the EPS Investigative Response Team has charged three Alberta Sheriffs, Sheriff Sgt. Karin Simmons, 52, Sheriff Adam Zasada, 57, and Sheriff Brent Roy, 44, with one count each of failing to provide the necessaries of life.

All three were released on Appearance Notices and are expected in court on May 30, 2025.

Emergency Communications Officers Graduate

16 Apr 2025 21:00:00 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) welcomed 28 new civilian Emergency Communications Officers (ECOs) and celebrated the graduation of more than 70 others who completed training of other specialized roles within the Emergency Communications and Operations Management Branch (ECOMB) at their formal graduation on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.

In Edmonton, ECOMB is the primary Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for the City of Edmonton. ECO’s handle approximately 2,000 calls per day from the public. These calls, which encompass both 9-1-1 emergencies needing police, fire, or ambulance and non-emergency inquiries, are answered, evaluated, and dispatched accordingly. ECOs serve as the vital connection between the community and the public safety services they depend on.

Becoming an ECO is a rigorous application and training process, and less than 6 per cent of first-time applicants are successful in becoming an ECO. The training equips graduates to play a vital role in ensuring the safety of their community. These new ECO’s come to the Branch with various backgrounds in customer service, law, science, and military.

An ECO working a regular 12-hour shift speaks to upwards of 80 people per shift. Last year alone (2024), ECOMB received almost one million calls. While an ECO primarily works behind the scenes, the impact they have on public safety is immeasurable. This is all the more reason to celebrate their achievements and recognize the critical role they play in keeping residents safe. As the first of the first responders, ECOs ensure the fast and accurate transmission of information related to fire, medical and law enforcement emergencies.

“The calls that we receive range from the most critical life-threatening emergencies, fires, heart attacks, criminal incidents, right down to things like neighbour disputes, says ECOMB Director Kay Anderson. Our emergency communications officers have to be able to switch back and forth to help the public no matter what the situation is.”

In recognition of their vital work, the City of Edmonton has proclaimed April 13-19, 2025, as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in Edmonton.

“We are so proud of our newest ECO graduates, and we are looking forward to the positive impact they will have on public safety in Edmonton,” says Anderson.

For more information about a career as an ECO, please visit 911maketherightcall.ca or the ECOMB page at edmontonpolice.ca/ECOMB

Police seeking assistance from public with arson investigation

16 Apr 2025 17:13:19 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is seeking the public’s assistance with an arson that occurred last spring.

On Monday, May 27, 2024, at approximately 2:38 a.m., police began to receive calls for a commercial fire at Hamud Halal Meat and Grocery near 10 Avenue and Knottwood Road East.

When officers arrived, the fire had spread to several businesses. Edmonton Fire Rescue Services (EFRS) has since determined the fire was deliberately set with damages estimated to be over $500,000. No one was in the building at the time of the fire.

With investigative strategies exhausted, police are now appealing to anyone who may have security camera or dash camera footage or witnessed any suspicious activity in the area between the hours of 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. to come forward.

Police also have footage from nearby businesses that may help identify the suspect:

CCTV footage of interior

CCTV footage of exterior

ASIRT investigating after officer-involved shooting in west Edmonton

16 Apr 2025 00:25:00 UT

On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at approximately 12:46 p.m., police were called to the area of 97 Avenue and 163 Street for a weapons complaint. It was reported to police that a male had entered a residential yard and pointed a firearm at the resident before leaving on foot.

Police responded to the area and located a suspect matching the description in an alley near 98 Avenue and 156 Street. A confrontation occurred, resulting in one officer discharging a firearm.

Officers immediately began administering first-aid. EMS arrived and transported the 36-year-old male to hospital where he was declared deceased. No EPS members were injured during this event. An object believed to be a firearm was located at the scene.

The EPS submitted a 46.1 notification to the Director of Law Enforcement, who has since directed the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) to conduct an investigation into the incident.

As such, the EPS cannot provide any additional information at this time. All further media inquiries should be directed to ASIRT.

Autopsy complete in southeast Edmonton death

15 Apr 2025 22:10:53 UT

An autopsy has been completed in the suspicious death that took place in the Holyrood neighbourhood over the weekend.

On Sunday, April 13, 2025, at approximately 4:18 p.m., Southwest Branch Patrol responded to a suspicious circumstance complaint at a community hall in the area of 94 Avenue and Holyrood Road. Upon arrival, officers located a deceased male in the parking lot.

On Monday, April 14, 2025, the Edmonton Medical Examiner’s Office completed an autopsy on the 32-year-old man and the cause and manner of death remain undetermined pending toxicology.

EPS Homicide Section continues to investigate and is asking anyone who may have observed suspicious activity in or around the community hall over the weekend to please 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.

Police lay charges in southeast Edmonton homicide

15 Apr 2025 20:55:34 UT

EPS Homicide Section detectives have laid charges against two males in relation to the death of a man that took place in southeast Edmonton in April.

On Sunday, April 6, 2025, at approximately 10 p.m. Southeast Branch Patrol responded to reports of gunshots near the area of 66 Street and 38 Avenue. When police arrived, they located an injured 52-year-old male. Despite life-saving measure, the male was declared deceased on scene by EMS.

The Edmonton Medical Examiner completed an autopsy on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, and determined the deceased, Darrell Demchuk, 52, died of gunshot wounds. The manner of death was confirmed to be homicide.

On Sunday, April 13, 2025, police arrested Jerad Wuttunee, 36, and Brandon Herry, 45. Both were charged with first degree murder.

At this time, it does not appear that the deceased and accused are known to each other. The investigation remains ongoing.