Media Releases https://www.edmontonpolice.ca/News/mediareleases.aspx Below is a listing of all EPS news releases.&nbsp;<br /> <br /> To contact the EPS Corporate Communications, please email Mediarelations@edmontonpolice.ca. en 07 Nov 2026 16:05:06 UT Commitment to Professionalism - Reduced Crime &amp; Victimization - Investigative Excellence - Increased Efficiency &amp; Effectiveness<br /> Copyright &copy; 2026, Edmonton Police Service. All rights reserved. Police investigating fatal collision in southeast Edmonton https://www.edmontonpolice.ca/News/MediaReleases/FatalNov6 The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is investigating a fatal collision that occurred on October 9, 2026. <p><span>Investigators believe that the 20-year-old male driver of a southbound BMW X1 failed to stop at a red light, entering the intersection of 34 Street and 43 Avenue and colliding with an eastbound Honda CR-V. At the time of the collision, a 35-year-old male and 33-year-old female pedestrian were crossing the street from the southwest corner.&nbsp; Following the collision, the BMW continued through the intersection and struck both pedestrians. No injuries were reported by the drivers to police.</span></p> <p><span>On Nov. 5, 2026, the 35-year-old male pedestrian succumbed to his injuries in hospital.</span></p> <p><span>“More than three weeks after this collision occurred, a family is now grieving the loss of a loved one,” says Acting Staff Sergeant Richard Windover with the EPS’ Major Collision Investigations Section. “The EPS extends its condolences to the friends and family of the 35-year-old male who lost his life.”</span></p> <p><span style="color: black;">The EPS Major Collision Investigations Section (MCIS) is continuing to investigate. </span></p> 06 Nov 2026 21:21:49 UT Two charged in death of infant https://www.edmontonpolice.ca/News/MediaReleases/chargeshomicideNov6 The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) has charged two individuals in connection to the death of a 25-day-old infant.&nbsp; <p><span>On Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, emergency crews responded to a report of an infant in medical distress in the area of 33 Street and 116A Avenue. The infant was transported to hospital, where sadly he passed away.</span></p> <p><span>The EPS Homicide Section was contacted and initiated an investigation into the nature of the death on February 5, 2025.</span></p> <p><span>Following an autopsy and extensive review, the Edmonton Medical Examiner has since determined that the cause of death was severe acute malnutrition and dehydration, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide.</span></p> <p><span>On Thursday, November 5, 2026, the parents of the infant, <strong>Lexi Tingley, 24, </strong>and<strong> Wolf Song Benson, 34, </strong>were each charged with <em>failing to provide necessaries of life </em>and <em>criminal negligence causing death.</em></span></p> 06 Nov 2026 15:26:08 UT Police seek suspect in copper wire theft investigation https://www.edmontonpolice.ca/News/MediaReleases/CopperWireWarrantNov5 The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is seeking the public's assistance to locate a 43-year-old male who is wanted on warrants in relation to a series of break-and-enters, copper thefts and property crimes. <p style="line-height: 15pt;"><span>Between January 2025 and February 2026, police investigated four incidents involving copper theft, including two break-ins at telecommunications tower sites where copper wire was stolen and critical infrastructure damaged. Investigators also responded to two residential break-ins at homes under construction where copper wiring was stripped from the property.</span></p> <p style="line-height: 15pt;"><span>Collectively, investigators estimate that incidents resulted in more than $80,000 in damage and stolen property. </span></p> <p style="line-height: 15pt;"><strong><span>Chad Brochu, 43, </span></strong><span>is wanted on warrants for<a href="http://"> </a></span><span><em><span>break and enter with intent to commit (x4)</span></em></span><span> and <em>breach of probation.</em> </span><span></span></p> <p style="line-height: 15pt;"><strong><span>Brochu</span></strong><span> is described as 6'3", 170 lbs., with a medium build, brown hair, brown eyes, and is known to wear glasses, as pictured below.</span></p> <p style="line-height: 15pt; text-align: center;"><span>&nbsp;<img alt="" style="height: 308px; width: 294px;" src="-/media/7F245071542749C9B1A510B5E4025E1A.ashx?h=308&amp;w=294" /></span></p> <p style="line-height: 15pt; text-align: center;"><span><strong>Wanted: Chad Brochu, 43</strong></span></p> <p style="line-height: 15pt;"><span>This year, EPS has received approximately 424 reports of copper-wire theft and has made 40 arrests in relation to this crime.</span></p> <div> </div> 05 Nov 2026 21:10:00 UT Police budget sets priorities for a safer Edmonton https://www.edmontonpolice.ca/News/MediaReleases/Budget2027-2030 The Edmonton Police Commission has submitted the proposed Edmonton Police Service (EPS) 2027-2030 operating and capital budget to City Council.&nbsp; <p><span style="color: #333333;">The four-year budget presents a focused approach to maintaining public safety, responding to increasing service demands, and investing in the first responders, facilities, technology, and equipment needed to serve a growing city. </span></p> <p><span style="color: #333333;">The proposed budget is built around the priorities Edmontonians identified during extensive public engagement and consultation, where safety emerged as one of the community's highest priorities. </span></p> <p><span style="color: #333333;">&ldquo;The Commission has heard loud and clear that Edmontonians are looking to the police service to reduce crime and work toward a safer and more secure city for everyone. The Commission fully supports the 2027-2030 police budget and its strategic investments to improve public safety. We recognize that Edmonton requires a continued sustainable funding approach to ensure the EPS has the ability to maintain staffing and move toward a more visible and proactive policing model that Edmontonians have asked for,&rdquo; said Commission Chair Ben Henderson.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #333333;">"This all comes down to keeping Edmontonians safe at a time when demands on the service are growing,&rdquo; said EPS Chief Warren Driechel. &ldquo;Parents want their kids to be able to play in their communities, students don&rsquo;t want to have to deal with open air drug use every day on their commute, and business owners shouldn&rsquo;t have to report theft after theft as they try to make a living. We are seeing effective results in our approach to crime management, so this budget focuses resources where they will continue to have the greatest impact on community safety, service delivery, and public trust.&rdquo;</span></p> <p><strong><span style="color: #333333;">By the numbers</span></strong></p> <p><span style="color: #333333;">The EPS&rsquo;s current operating budget is $628 million and forms part of the City of Edmonton&rsquo;s overall net-expenditure budget. A substantial portion of the proposed 2027 increase is needed to fund salary settlements previously approved by Council, which is not part of the Police Funding Formula increase.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #333333;">The proposed four-year budget reflects a disciplined approach to managing growth. The EPS has completed an extensive internal reallocation exercise to align existing resources with the 2027-2030 Strategic Plan. This resulted in resources being redirected toward the services Edmontonians have identified as priorities, and are designed to reduce crime, increase visibility, and improve connection with the community. The EPS redirected $18.07 million of 2026 existing resources before seeking new investments and will continue looking for further efficiencies over the next four-year budget cycle. </span></p> <p><span style="color: #333333;">In addition, the funding formula will provide approximately $55.80 million over the next four years. This includes $33.11 million required for inflation costs that are critical to support the operations of the police service, $21.87 million in growth funding for priority areas across the EPS and $0.82 million for operating impacts of capital. The formula provides predictable and consistent funding for inflation and population growth. </span></p> <p><span style="color: #333333;">Among the investments residents are expected to notice are enhancements to crime management, support for the Integrated Stabilization Centre, improved follow-up with victims and complainants, and expanded digital reporting and investigative tools. </span></p> <p><span style="color: #333333;">The EPS is also seeking $182.97 million in capital funding to maintain critical infrastructure, including police facilities, information technology systems, communications equipment, and fleet assets. Currently, approximately one-third of that request, or $61.66 million, remains unfunded. </span></p> <p><span style="color: #333333;">The proposed budget aligns with EPS&rsquo;s strategic goal of focused policing and safer communities while addressing increasing complexity in investigations, population growth, transit safety demands, and rising public expectations for service. </span></p> <p><span style="color: #333333;">Council will consider both the operating and capital budget proposals during upcoming City of Edmonton budget deliberations.</span></p> 04 Nov 2026 17:00:00 UT EPS investigation contributes to disruption of international cellphone scam network https://www.edmontonpolice.ca/News/MediaReleases/CellScamNov3 The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is warning residents about a cellphone scam after an investigation contributed to the disruption of an international fraud network believed to be responsible for more than $20 million in losses for Edmontonians. <p><span>The investigation began in the fall of 2026 after the EPS identified a large-scale fraud operation targeting Canadians through calls falsely claiming to represent major telecommunications providers, including Rogers, Telus, and Virgin Mobile. Investigators determined the scam had been operating since at least October 2024 and was linked to multiple call centres in Lahore, Pakistan.</span></p> <p>Victims were offered free or heavily discounted cellphones and phone plans and were persuaded to provide personal information and order new devices through their legitimate service providers. Once the phones arrived, victims received follow-up calls claiming the wrong devices had been shipped and were instructed to send them to another address. The devices were then collected by individuals associated with the scheme and resold.</p> <p>So far this year, investigators have been made aware of approximately 100 reports of this scam in Edmonton and estimate an approximate loss of $20 million related to these incidents.</p> <p>In early October, police executed a search warrant at a residence in the area of 97 Street and 113 Avenue and arrested a 31-year-old male suspect. During the search, police seized suspected forgery equipment, fraudulent identification documents and electronic devices believed to be connected to the investigation.</p> <p><span></span><strong><span>Johnathan Cesar</span></strong>, 31, has since been charged with <em>fraud over $5,000,</em> <em>trafficking in property obtained by crime</em> and <em>possession of forgery equipment</em>.</p> <p>Information gathered throughout the EPS investigation also helped identify multiple suspected scam call centres operating in Pakistan. That information was shared with international law enforcement partners in late October 2026 and contributed to enforcement action by local authorities that disrupted several centres believed to be involved in the scheme.</p> <p>The investigation involved extensive collaboration with telecommunications providers, shipping companies and police agencies across Canada, including Peel Regional Police, the RCMP and the Ontario Provincial Police.</p> <p>"This scam is highly convincing and designed to exploit people's trust," says Cst. Brian Mason with the EPS Virtual Investigations Section. "If you receive an unsolicited offer for a free or heavily discounted cellphone that might seem too good to be true, contact your service provider directly using trusted contact information before providing personal information or taking any action."</p> <p>Edmontonians are encouraged to be cautious of unsolicited calls, texts or emails claiming to be from telecommunications providers and to independently verify any offers through official channels.</p> 03 Nov 2026 19:59:00 UT Police locate missing senior https://www.edmontonpolice.ca/News/MediaReleases/MissingSeniorNov2 The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) has located a missing 79-year-old man who was reported missing earlier in the day. <p>Thank you to the public and the media for your assistance.</p> 02 Nov 2026 17:58:00 UT Police investigating suspicious death https://www.edmontonpolice.ca/News/MediaReleases/SusDeathNov2 The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is investigating the suspicious death of a woman that took place in west Edmonton. <p><span>At approximately 6 p.m., on Oct. 30, 2026, police conducted a check on welfare at a residence in the area of 95 Avenue and 164 Street. Upon arrival, officers located a deceased 29-year-old female. </span></p> <p><span>Homicide Section is now investigating, and an autopsy has been scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.</span></p> 02 Nov 2026 17:00:00 UT Police investigating fatal collision https://www.edmontonpolice.ca/News/MediaReleases/FatalCollisionNov1 The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is investigating a fatal collision that occurred on the Sherwood Park Freeway in Edmonton this morning. <p><span>Today at approximately 10 a.m., police were made aware of a collision on the Sherwood Park Freeway near 50 Street. It was reported that a 17-year-old male driving a Ford Ranger eastbound lost control of the vehicle, crossed into the westbound lanes and was struck by an oncoming Nissan. EMS attended, however the passenger in the Ford Ranger, also a 17-year-old-male, succumbed to his injuries on scene. No other injuries were reported to police, however the driver of the Ford Ranger and the driver of the Nissan and their passenger were transported to hospital for precautionary measures. </span></p> <p><span>The EPS Major Collision Investigations Section (MCIS) is leading the investigation. Police believe speed and alcohol were not factors in the collision.</span></p> <p><span>&ldquo;Our deepest condolences go out to the loved ones of the young person who lost his life this morning,&rdquo; says Sgt. Timothy Connell with the EPS&rsquo; Major Collision Investigations Section. &ldquo;This tragic collision is a reminder of how winter road conditions can change quickly. We encourage all drivers to be mindful of these conditions and to look out for one another on our roadways.&rdquo;</span></p> 01 Nov 2026 23:18:00 UT Police investigating death of toddler https://www.edmontonpolice.ca/News/MediaReleases/suspiciousdeathOct30 The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is investigating the suspicious death of a child that took place in northwest Edmonton. <p><span>At approximately 2 p.m., on Oct. 10, 2026, police responded to the report of a sudden death of a two-year-old girl at a residence in the Castle Downs area. </span></p> <p><span>Due to the circumstances surrounding the death, it was ruled suspicious, and the EPS Homicide Section has taken over the investigation. Autopsy results are pending toxicology.</span></p> 30 Oct 2026 15:40:10 UT Police investigating fatal collision in central Edmonton https://www.edmontonpolice.ca/News/MediaReleases/FatalCollision101STOct29 The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is investigating a fatal vehicle collision that occurred in central Edmonton Tuesday night. <p><span style="color: black;">On Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, at approximately 8:30 p.m. it was reported to police that an Edmonton Fire Rescue Services (EFRS) truck was travelling northbound on 101 Street when it was struck by a Kia Sedona minivan that was travelling eastbound on Kingsway Avenue and had entered the intersection on a red light.</span></p> <p>The driver of the fire truck was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and the 44-year-old male driver of the minivan was transported to hospital by EMS where he succumbed to his injuries.</p> <p><span style="color: black;">The EPS Major Collision Investigations Section (MCIS) is leading the investigation. Investigators believe speed and alcohol were factors in the collision.</span></p> 29 Oct 2026 16:05:00 UT