On Sunday, May 5, 2024, at approximately 12:35 p.m., Northeast Branch patrol officers responded to the report of a male passed out inside of a vehicle in an alley in the area of 134 Avenue and 58 Street. When officers arrived, they located a man passed out in the driver’s seat. Police woke the man up and placed him under arrest for being impaired. Upon further investigation, a loaded handgun was discovered along with a ballistic bulletproof vest. In addition, cocaine, methamphetamine, and Percocet pills were seized from the vehicle. The drugs have an estimated street value of $3,000.
Farrukhi Sarvar, 22, was charged with possession of a firearm knowing possession unauthorized, unauthorized possession of firearm/weapon in vehicle, possession of prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition readily accessible, contravened regulation, possession of stolen property under $5,000 (proceeds of crime), possession for the purpose of trafficking (x3) and possess body armour without valid permit. His next court date is scheduled for May 24, 2024.
Photo of the handgun seized from the May 5 vehicle stop
On Saturday, May 11, 2024, at approximately 4:37 a.m., Northeast Branch patrol officers were proactively patrolling the area of 153 Avenue and 66 Street when they observed a vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed. Officers were able to catch up to the vehicle in the area of 93 Street and 151 Avenue where a traffic stop was initiated. Once the speeding vehicle came to a stop, all three occupants ran from the vehicle. Two of the three occupants were apprehended by police a short distance away. The male suspect was found to have a loaded handgun with loaded magazines, and the female suspect was breaching a curfew stemming from a prior release on firearms-related charges. In addition, a quantity of illicit drugs were located in the vehicle. Additional charges are pending.
Tyler James Bjornstad, 37, was charged with possession of prohibited firearm contrary to order (x3), possession of a firearm knowing possession unauthorized, prohibited firearm/weapon in vehicle, possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm, contravened regulation and obstructing a peace officer. His next court date is scheduled for May 30, 2024.
Roxanne Larissa Franco, 33, was charged with breaching condition of a release order and obstructing a peace officer. Her next court date is scheduled for May 23, 2024.
Investigators are still working to identify the third suspect who fled from police.
Photo of the seized firearm in its holster from the May 11 vehicle stop
“This was some great work by our officers, taking guns off the street. This truly highlights the dangers that police face on a daily basis,” says Staff Sgt. Susan Tames of EPS Northeast Division. “What is also concerning is the complete disregard for three separate Court ordered lifetime firearms bans against one of the male suspects who was found in possession of a loaded handgun.”