Media Releases

Police investigating weekend vehicle vandalism spree in SE Division

06 Jul 2020 17:20:45 UT

The Edmonton Police Service is investigating a vandalism spree in a south-side neighbourhood, which saw multiple vehicles targeted over the weekend.

Southeast Division patrol officers responded to a mischief complaint involving 18 vehicles parked on 78 and 79 streets between 105 and 106 avenues in the neighbourhood of Forest Heights. Several vehicles owned by residents of a nearby apartment building were also targeted.

The vehicles had tires slashed, and in at least one instance, the vehicle’s paint was keyed. Investigators believe the individual(s) responsible vandalized the vehicles between 7 p.m. Saturday, July 4 and 1 a.m., Sunday, July 5, 2020.

Anyone with information about this vandalism spree or who may have surveillance camera images that could help investigators 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.

Driver involved in fatal single-vehicle collision facing several charges including dangerous driving causing death

04 Jul 2020 20:17:32 UT

The 25-year-old driver involved in a single-vehicle collision that claimed the lives of his three passengers early Friday morning is facing several charges including dangerous driving causing death.

Oscar Benjumea, 25, of Ontario, has since been charged with:

3 counts of Dangerous Driving causing Death
3 counts of Failure to Stop at Scene of Accident
1 count of Operation while Disqualified

A bail hearing will be held for Benjumea on Monday, July 6, 2020.

Benjumea was taken into custody at approximately 12:10 p.m. yesterday, Friday, July 3, 2020, at his residence in southwest Edmonton. Paramedics subsequently treated and transported Benjumea to hospital with serious, non-life-threatening injuries.

Benjumea initially fled the scene of the early-morning collision, at Calgary Trail and 55 Avenue, prior to the arrival of police. Investigators were eventually made aware of the suspect’s whereabouts late Friday morning, and he was arrested shortly thereafter at his residence.

Background:
At approximately 2:20 a.m., Friday, July 3, 2020, Southwest Division patrol members responded to a collision call near Calgary Trail and 55 Avenue.

Upon arrival, officers found three deceased occupants, two females aged 20 and 21, and a 32-year-old male inside an Audi RS5. The vehicle had struck the wall of a nearby business.

Investigators believe excessive speed was a factor in the collision.

Driver who fled scene of fatal collision this morning arrested and facing multiple charges in connection to death of three passengers

04 Jul 2020 00:10:43 UT

The Edmonton Police Service has arrested a 25-year-old male in connection to the death of his three passengers following a fatal single-vehicle collision early this morning.

Oscar Benjumea, 25, of Ontario, was taken into custody at approximately 12:10 p.m. today, Friday, July 3, 2020, at his residence in southwest Edmonton. Paramedics subsequently treated and transported Benjumea to hospital with serious, non-life-threatening injuries.

Benjumea fled the scene of this morning’s deadly collision, at Calgary Trail and 55 Avenue, prior to the arrival of police. Investigators were eventually made aware of the suspect’s whereabouts late this morning, and he was arrested shortly thereafter at his residence.

Benjumea is facing multiple charges, which will be sworn later this evening, once the suspect’s condition is stabilized in hospital.

Investigators have since notified the families of the passengers killed in the collision, including 20 and 21-year-old females and a 32-year-old male.

Background:
At approximately 2:20 a.m. this morning, Friday, July 3, 2020, Southwest Division patrol members responded to a collision call near Calgary Trail and 55 Avenue.

Upon arrival, officers found three deceased occupants, two females aged 20 and 21, and one male yet to be identified, inside an Audi RS5. The vehicle had struck the wall of a nearby business.

Investigators believe excessive speed was a factor in the collision.

Three passengers killed in single-vehicle collision; police continue to search for driver who fled the scene on foot

03 Jul 2020 17:42:34 UT

The Edmonton Police Service is investigating a fatal single-vehicle collision on Calgary Trail this morning that claimed the lives of its three passengers.

At approximately 2:20 a.m. this morning, Friday, July 3, 2020, Southwest Division patrol members responded to a collision call near Calgary Trail and 55 Avenue.

Upon arrival, officers found three deceased occupants, two females aged 20 and 21, and one male yet to be identified, inside an Audi RS5. The vehicle had struck the wall of a nearby business. Investigators believe excessive speed was involved.

The male driver of the vehicle, whose identity has yet to be confirmed, fled the scene prior to the arrival of police, and remains at large this morning.

EPS Major Collision investigators have since reopened Calgary Trail to oncoming traffic.

Homicide detectives charge man in November murder

01 Jul 2020 20:17:58 UT

The EPS Homicide Section detectives charged a man in relation to the murder of a 35-year-old female in November 2019.

Arthur Trinity Brown, 42, was located and arrested on June 30, 2020 by the RCMP in Maskwacis.

Brown is charged with 2^nd degree murder in the death of Rebecca Hunter.

On Nov. 13, 2019, when officers arrived at the scene in the area of 133 Avenue and 140 Street, they found Hunter, 35, deceased outside a residence.

The cause of death was blunt head trauma.

Man charged with sexual assault returned to custody following bail hearing

30 Jun 2020 23:58:18 UT

The Edmonton Police Service is informing the public that Wade Stene, 37, was remanded back into custody this afternoon (June 30, 2020) by a Justice of the Court of Queen’s Bench.

The EPS issued a duty-to-warn news release on June 17, 2020 after Stene was discharged from the Edmonton Remand Centre on a Release Order with several conditions.

The EPS is issuing this information in the belief that it is clearly in the public interest to inform members of the community.

Victim identified in fatal hit-and-run

30 Jun 2020 18:40:00 UT

The Edmonton Medical Examiner completed an autopsy yesterday, June 29, 2020, on a man who was fatally injured in a hit-and-run last week.

The victim has been identified as Rajan Baraich, 31. The cause of death is not being released at this time for investigative reasons. The manner of death remains under investigation.

Homicide investigators are still looking to speak with anyone who may have information related to the incident, as well as dash camera footage from vehicles travelling in the area of 107 Avenue and 102 Street between 1:05 a.m. and 1:20 a.m. on Thursday, June 25, 2020.

Background

On Thursday, June 25, 2020 at 1:20 a.m., police responded to a report of a hit-and-run collision between a vehicle and a male on 107 Avenue between 101 and 102 Street.

Upon arrival, officers located a 31-year-old male with life-threatening injuries. He was treated and transported to hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries the following day.

Investigating officers learned that there was an altercation prior to the collision, and the death was deemed suspicious. Homicide Section took over the investigation.

EPS launches CCTV pilot project focused on increasing public safety and solving crime

30 Jun 2020 18:24:00 UT

Next month, the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) will be testing closed-circuit television (CCTV) during a 6-month pilot project.

As of July 2nd, citizens can expect to see new cameras installed throughout the City with marked EPS signage. The project will utilize CCTV in a number of locations across the city that have been identified as large gathering sites or locations where crime has frequently occurred. The cameras will not be deployed within residential neighborhoods and are owned and operated solely by the EPS.

“CCTV can be a very valuable tool when it comes to identifying suspects in a crime, protecting your property or business, and ensuring public safety,” says Acting Inspector Kelly Rosnau with the Operations & Intelligence Command Centre. “Major cities across the world utilize this kind of technology to respond to major events and situations in real-time, making their policing strategies and investigations more effective.”

Example of CCTV camera in Old Strathcona

Example of visible signage accompanying cameras

“The CCTV cameras only capture information relevant to law enforcement investigations and video is only available to officers for a 24-hour period,” says Rosnau. “That means that unless the video is pulled for a specific investigation within that timeframe, it wouldn’t be backed up and kept on the system – it would be lost.”

The CCTV cameras will only be accessible by staff within the EPS’ Operational Intelligence Command Centre (OICC) during major events or for requests made by police officers investigating a crime in an area that is monitored by CCTV.

It’s imperative for law enforcement to stay innovative and on top of emerging technologies as crime continues to occur. For example, in the last few years, between 2017 and 2019, theft over $5,000 has risen 59 per cent, theft from vehicles has risen 15 per cent and assault has risen almost eight per cent.

“This technology will help us continue to maintain and ensure the safety of our citizens,” says Rosnau.

A Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) was submitted to the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) of Alberta in 2019 to outline the pilot project and ensure all privacy considerations are addressed through legislation.

Homicide detectives seek witnesses, video in hit-and-run

26 Jun 2020 21:20:47 UT

The Edmonton Police Service is investigating a hit-and-run collision that resulted in the death of a male.

Yesterday, Thursday, June 25, 2020 at 1:20 a.m., police responded to a report of a hit-and-run collision between a vehicle and a male on 107 Avenue between 101 and 102 Street.

Upon arrival, officers located a 31-year-old male with life-threatening injuries. He was treated and transported to hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries today.

Investigating officers learned that there was an altercation prior to the collision, and the death has been deemed suspicious. Homicide Section has since taken over the investigation. This event is not believed to be random.

Investigators are looking for witnesses to the incident and dash camera footage from vehicles travelling in the area of 107 Avenue and 102 Street between 1:05 a.m. and 1:20 a.m. on Thursday, June 25, 2020.

Anyone with information 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.

An autopsy has been scheduled for Tuesday, June 30, 2020. No further information is available at this time.

EPS asking for public's assistance in locating missing man

26 Jun 2020 20:16:12 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) Missing Persons Unit is asking the public for any tips about a 37-year-old man who was reported as missing on May 23, 2020 and last seen on April 29, 2020.

Travis Hollar is known to frequent the inner city and Northeast Edmonton and his disappearance is out of character. Hollar is 5’7”, 160 lbs, with brown hair (shaved) and blue eyes. He has a tattoo on his right forearm of the name ‘Travis’ and a tattoo on his left forearm of a marijuana leaf with the word ‘Loyal’ inside.