Media Releases

Sexual assault suspect identified, charged

08 May 2025 21:43:36 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) has arrested a male in connection with a sexual assault series in south Edmonton.

On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, Harpreet Singh, 28 was arrested and charged with three counts of sexual assault in connection with three incidents that occurred in the Charlesworth neighbourhood in April. He is currently remanded into custody.

The EPS would like to thank the public for their assistance in providing tips that led to the identification and arrest of the accused.

Anyone who believes they have been victimized by the accused is asked 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.

Police seek assistance identifying suspect in commercial break-and-enter theft series

08 May 2025 21:00:00 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is seeking the public’s assistance identifying a male suspect following multiple break-and-enter thefts citywide.

Throughout March and April 2025, police have received multiple reports of glass-smash break and enters at cosmetic stores, as well as some music stores. The suspect primarily targets beauty and hair products, carrying them out in a black plastic garbage bag.

The suspect is described as a lone white male, 40 to 50 years old. He was captured on surveillance video wearing blue jeans and a black or grey hooded jacket and carrying a black garbage bag. He is associated with a dark blue Chevrolet Aveo.

Surveillance video of suspect

Assist to identify: break-and-enter theft suspect

Suspect vehicle

Anyone with information about this suspect is asked 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.

Shooting numbers drop in April 2025

08 May 2025 20:00:00 UT

April shooting totals down to 11, marking a significant decrease from last month.

Police recorded 11 shootings in April 2025, a decrease from the 20 shootings recorded in March 2025 and on par with the 11 shootings recorded in the same month in 2024.

Shootings by month in 2024 and 2025

Of the 11 reported shootings in April 2025, all were believed to be targeted and six resulted in reported injuries. There were three deaths as a result of shooting occurrences last month. In nine of the 11 shootings, there was potential for innocent bystanders, including children, to be harmed.

“We’re happy to see that the March 2025 numbers appeared to be a bit of an anomaly. The decline in shootings last month is consistent with the overall trend year over year, which remains stable and continues to be a marked decrease from years prior,” says Thomas Hapke, Acting Staff of the EPS Firearms Investigation Section. “This speaks to the success of our long-term strategy, which puts the safety of Edmontonians at the forefront and to which we remain committed.”

Police seized 58 firearms in April and 256 in 2025 so far, as compared to 262 at this time last year.

Police warn public, seek assistance to identify sexual assault suspect

07 May 2025 02:54:28 UT

May 8, 2025 update: this news release has been edited, as the suspect has been located.

The EPS Sexual Assault Section is currently investigating two sexual assaults that occurred on April 22, 2025, and one sexual assault that occurred on April 27, 2025 in the Charlesworth neighbourhood, where an unidentified suspect has been targeting women walking alone along foot paths.

[The suspect's photo and description have been removed, as he has been identified]

EPS is issuing this warning in the interest of public safety. The three incidents are being actively investigated and are believed to be connected. Police are asking area residents to take extra precautions when using walking paths at this time. Charlesworth and area residents are also asked to report suspicious activity or individuals matching the suspect’s description.

Anyone who believes they have been victimized by this suspect or has information about his identity is asked 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.

EPS releases Annual Report highlighting achievements of 2024

06 May 2025 22:00:00 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is pleased to announce the release of its 2024 Annual Report in a dynamic and interactive web-based format for the second year in a row.

The 2024 Annual Report provides Edmontonians valuable information on the Service’s direction, providing statistical insight into progress on crime and community safety while highlighting efforts to serve the needs of the community. This report is a part of the EPS’s legislated responsibilities outlined in the provincial Police Act and is a reflection of the goals and outcomes of the service’s 2023-26 Strategic Plan.

“As a service, we’ve made significant headway in tackling the unacceptable levels of violence and disorder that have spiked in recent years,” says Interim Chief of Police Warren Driechel. “The 2024 crime rate was almost the lowest Edmonton has seen in nearly a decade, in part due to initiatives like safer public spaces, the Healthy Streets Operation Centre, our encampment response and its tie into the Navigation Centre, and the Guns and Gangs Strategy.”

Data shows that despite a 5.1 per cent increase in calls for service this past year, Edmonton saw an overall 1.3 per cent reduction in the city’s crime rate, and a 1.8 per cent decrease in crime severity.

“Another major victory for Edmonton in 2024 was a 47 per cent decrease in shootings compared to a 2023 marked by gun violence,” says Interim Chief of Police Devin Laforce. “Although we take pride in the reductions in crime, we recognize that by enhancing communication, fostering transparency, and upholding accountability, we can further solidify our legitimacy and deepen our connection with the communities we serve.”

Also highlighted in this year’s report are some of the significant changes to its recruitment and hiring program, resulting in a higher number of applicants in 2024. Some changes include launching a new recruitment website, conducting targeted outreach to diverse communities, and establishing the Recruit Mentoring Academy (RMA) to enhance applicants’ skills and reduce barriers for underrepresented groups.

In June 2023, the Government of Alberta committed to providing resources to hire 50 police officers in both Edmonton and Calgary to help bolster resources to tackle violent crime and disorder in the city and across transit, and the results are evident in the decreasing crime rate. EPS successfully increased its hiring numbers in part to meet this commitment, with 154 new hires in 2024.

“We understand the value of keeping our community updated and we believe the 2024 Annual Report demonstrates how committed we are to strengthening trust within our community by advancing key initiatives, celebrating meaningful achievements and addressing challenges,” says Lori Lorenz, Executive Director of the EPS Value and Impact Division. “Transparency, accountability and service continue to guide every step we take towards a safer and stronger community.”

“The Edmonton Police Commission wants public safety and community policing solutions that provide real results for our community, and the EPS’s 2024 Annual Report shows why this approach is working for Edmontonians. We were encouraged to see more frontline officers and specialized teams having a direct impact on public safety by reducing the crime rate in our city.” – Ben Henderson, Chair of the Edmonton Police Commission

In addition to the release of the 2024 Annual Report, EPS will also be hosting open houses on May 22, 27 and 29, 2025 to provide the public with an opportunity to engage EPS about community safety in Edmonton. These open house engagement sessions will give Edmontonian’s the opportunity to provide feedback that will be considered for future EPS programs and initiatives. To find out more about these engagement sessions, including where they will be hosted, please visit edmontonpolice.ca/openhouses.

Police evacuate northeast residences during hazardous materials removal

06 May 2025 18:45:00 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is clearing a residence of hazardous materials and potential explosives in the area of 50 Street and 131 Avenue on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

On April 26, 2025, at approximately 8:40 p.m., police conducted a check on welfare of an adult male at the residence. At the time of the investigation, police observed in plain view unknown chemicals and substances, as well as materials that are known to be precursors that can be used in the manufacturing of explosives.

Since the incident, the property has been secured and held as a crime scene by police. After an initial review of the located materials, police determined that until they are removed from the residence, there is no immediate threat to public safety.

In conjunction with Edmonton Fire Rescue Services (EFRS), police will be conducting a thorough search of the residence to identify and remove potential hazards on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. As a result, residents along a portion of Habitat Cresent NW are being asked to temporarily vacate their homes on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, by 9 p.m.

At this time, the duration of the evacuation is unknown. As police continue to investigate and assess the risk to public safety, further updates about when it is safe to return home will be provided to residents. Residents have been advised to prepare to evacuate for a period of up to several days.

Residents who are affected by this temporary evacuation and do not have suitable accommodations will be provided with temporary housing and food through the City of Edmonton’s Emergency Operations Centre in conjunction with the Red Cross. Transportation will also be provided by Edmonton Transit Services. Residents are also advised that natural gas to some of the homes in the affected area may be shut off for the duration of the operation.

Additionally, roads in the area will be limited to essential traffic outside of the area of the operation. At this time, motorists who do not reside or do business in the neighbourhood are asked to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.

The health and safety of Edmontonians remains the EPS’ number one priority. The EPS would like to thank the public and the media for their cooperation as officers work to keep everyone safe.

Police looking for suspect involved in southeast arson

05 May 2025 20:00:18 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is asking the public for their assistance in identifying a suspect involved in an arson that occurred in southeast Edmonton last month.

On Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at approximately 12:55 a.m., police were called to the area of 92 Street and 34 Avenue for a large commercial fire. When police arrived, several businesses in the strip mall were engulfed in flames—destroying 25 units and resulting in several million dollars in damages. Edmonton Fire Rescue Services has deemed the fire as suspicious.

Investigators are now releasing security footage in hopes of identifying a suspect, described as a white male, approximately 6’ tall with an average build. The suspect was seen wearing a black hoodie, dark bandana covering his face, jeans and royal blue shoes. He was seen driving a white Ford F150 truck with a red maple leaf on the driver’s side of the tailgate.

Image: Suspect wearing black hoodie and royal blue shoes

Image: Suspect

Image: Suspect vehicle, white F150

Image: Vehicle, white F150

Police are asking anyone with information to come forward. Additionally, anyone with dash camera or security camera footage from the area between the hours of 12 a.m. and 1 a.m. on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, are asked to contact EPS.

Police seeking witnesses and video from site of fatal collision

05 May 2025 19:00:00 UT

EPS Major Collision Investigations Section (MCIS) is investigating a two-vehicle collision that claimed the life of woman.

Around 7:10 p.m. on Sunday, May 4, 2025, a Mazda 3 was travelling northbound on Parsons Road when the 20-year-old male driver attempted a left turn just past Ellerslie Road. At that time, a Chevrolet Silverado was travelling southbound on Parsons Road and collided with the right side of the Mazda causing extensive damage.

Edmonton Fire Rescue Services and EMS responded and all five people from the Mazda were taken to hospital where a 49-year-old female passenger was pronounced deceased. The driver sustained minor injuries, a 12-year-old male passenger is in critical condition, and a 16-year-old male and a 52-year-old male passenger are in stable condition.

The 31-year-old female driver of the Chevrolet, along with a 30-year-old female and an 8-year-old male passenger were not injured. A man and two children were also in the Chevrolet at the time of the collision but left prior to police arriving.

Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed or has dash cam footage of this collision to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone.

Police investigating fatal collision

02 May 2025 22:13:25 UT

EPS Major Collision Investigations Section (MCIS) is investigating a collision that claimed the life of one motorist overnight in Edmonton.

At approximately 10 p.m. on Thursday, May 1, 2025, a 2024 Ford Bronco operated by a 46-year-old male was travelling westbound on Yellowhead Trail passing Winterburn Road when it crossed the centre median into the eastbound lanes. The Bronco collided head-on with a 2018 Ford F-350 that was travelling eastbound, resulting in the Bronco flipping on its side and catching fire.

The 46-year-old male who was the sole occupant of the Bronco was declared deceased on scene. The three occupants of the F-350, a 45-year-old male, a 43-year-old female and a nine-year-old male, were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The EPS is grateful to Alberta Sheriffs for their assistance in keeping the highway closed while police conducted their investigation. MCIS continues to investigate the collision.

Autopsy complete, charge laid in west Edmonton homicide

02 May 2025 19:00:00 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) has charged a 21-year-old Edmonton man in relation to a homicide that took place in west Edmonton earlier this week.

On Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at approximately 12:15 a.m., EPS West Branch Patrol officers responded to the report of a disturbance in the area of 56 Avenue and 199 Street. Upon arrival, officers located a vehicle with a deceased male inside. The death was determined to be suspicious.

Two males were taken into custody the same day and police were not looking for any other suspects at the time.

The Edmonton Medical Examiner’s Office completed an autopsy on Thursday, May 1, 2025, and determined that Emanuelle Moraga, 33, of Saskatoon died of multiple gunshot wounds and the manner of death is homicide.

EPS Homicide Section has since charged one of the two males taken into custody. Tolga Boyaci, 21, is now facing a charge of second-degree murder. The other male has since been released.