Media Releases

Assist to locate: Suspect in shooting wanted on warrants

28 Sep 2020 00:56:30 UT

The Edmonton Police Service has issued arrest warrants for Dorian Gladue-Thomas, 19, who is a suspect in a shooting.

Just before 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, at 107 Street and 106 Avenue, Gladue-Thomas allegedly shot another male with a shotgun as a result of a dispute over property. The 19-year-old victim is in hospital in stable condition.

Gladue-Thomas (who also goes by the name Max) is considered to be armed and dangerous and is believed to be in possession of a shotgun. It’s believed he frequents the Downtown area.

He is wanted on warrants for aggravated assault, possession of a weapon, breach of a firearm prohibition and possession of stolen property.

Gladue-Thomas is 5’7”, 130 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone who sees Gladue-Thomas is asked to not approach him and call police immediately.

Registered Massage Therapist charged with two counts of sexual assault

25 Sep 2020 18:58:40 UT

A male Registered Massage Therapist is facing sexual assault charges in connection to a pair of alleged incidents at a west Edmonton health-care clinic.

Police were contacted by two complainants regarding separate incidents, which occurred over the summer, at a massage therapy clinic in west Edmonton.

It was reported to police that on Thursday, June 25, 2020, a 22-year-old female complainant attended a west Edmonton massage therapy clinic in relation to neck and back pain. A male RMT assigned to the complainant is alleged to have massaged the client’s breasts without the consent of the client.

On Thursday, July 23, 2020, a second incident is alleged to have occurred involving the male RMT with a 30-year-old female complainant, at the same west Edmonton clinic. In this instance, it was reported to police that the RMT performed a pectoral massage without consent, then groped the complainant’s breasts. The complainant also reported feeling uncomfortable when the male RMT massaged close to her groin area, during the session, without the complainant’s consent.

Both complainants eventually reported their concerns to clinic management, after which police were contacted by the complainants regarding the two incidents.

Investigators have since charged Jose Martinez, 28, with two counts of sexual assault. Martinez was also employed as an RMT contractor at a health-care clinic in the greater Edmonton area and provides mobile massage services via a website.

The Certified Registered Massage Therapist Association (CRMTA), a governing body for the industry, has since suspended Martinez's RMT licence.

Police seek public’s assistance locating disabled gentleman’s custom-designed tricycle

23 Sep 2020 18:07:36 UT

The Edmonton Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a custom-designed tricycle that was stolen Sept. 4, 2020 from an underground parking garage in downtown Edmonton.

The tricycle was custom designed for Kenneth Thomas, a 68-year-old disabled gentleman living with Cerebral Palsy. The tricycle (see photos below) was stolen sometime between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. that Friday morning, from a storage locker located in the underground parking garage of the complainant’s apartment residence near 93 Street and 101 Avenue.

Thomas did not discover the theft until Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, at which time a report was filed with police.

Today, investigators are releasing a photo of Kenneth’s customized tricycle, as well as a surveillance image of the two suspects responsible for the theft. The tricycle is a lifeline of sorts for Thomas, who maintains a healthy lifestyle by training and competing in marathons with it.

Anyone with information about this theft, the suspects involved or the whereabouts of the tricycle 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.

Kenneth Thomas, 68, and brother-in-law Philip Haug, 66, with Kenneth’s custom-designed tricycle.

Sept. 4^th surveillance image of two suspects responsible for the theft of a custom-designed tricycle from an underground parking garage storage locker.

Police recover handgun; charge man with firearms trafficking

23 Sep 2020 17:43:00 UT

The EPS Firearms Investigation Unit (FIU) has charged a 34-year-old man with firearms trafficking following a lengthy investigation.

In February of 2019, Southwest Division patrol members responded to a carjacking incident where they recovered a handgun, in close proximity to the scene, that had its serial number defaced.

As the investigation progressed, members of the EPS submitted the recovered handgun to the RCMP National Forensic Laboratory Services to determine ownership. Through this process, the original serial number was restored, and Bradley Sawchuk was found to be the registered owner of the handgun.

After several months of investigation, members of FIU charged Bradley Sawchuk, 34, of Gunn Alberta, with firearm trafficking, firearms possession for the purpose of trafficking and altering, defacing or removing a serial number.

All charges are in relation to three handguns registered to Sawchuk. Members of FIU allege that Sawchuk trafficked the handguns between 2018 and 2020 and believe he "straw purchased" his handguns for the purpose of trafficking them.

"Straw purchasing of firearms occurs when an individual with a valid firearms license purchases a firearm for another individual, or individuals, who cannot lawfully purchase firearms for themselves," says Sergeant Eric Stewart with FIU. "This trend is prevalent in our investigations: individuals who want firearms for criminal purposes can obtain their firearms domestically through straw purchasers."

"We are not targeting law-abiding gun owners. Our focus is on the individuals who traffic their firearms to the criminal market. There’s definitely a strong correlation between illegal firearms and violence, which poses great risk to public safety," says Sgt. Stewart.

Police believe that Sawchuk trafficked multiple firearms and investigators are seeking information regarding the whereabouts of those firearms.

Handgun located around carjacking scene; allegedly trafficked by Sawchuk

Between January 1, 2020 and September 21, 2020, the EPS has responded to a total of 101 shootings and seized 756 firearms (not including airsoft guns).

Edmonton man charged in connection to animal abuse investigation

23 Sep 2020 15:39:10 UT

A 20-year-old city man is facing several charges in connection to an animal abuse call at a residence in northwest Edmonton last weekend. On Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, at approximately 6 p.m., Northwest Division members responded to a complaint regarding the alleged abuse of a dog at a suite near 133 Street and 130 Avenue.

Upon arrival, officers discovered five cats and one dog living in uninhabitable conditions. Officers noted that the suite was covered in urine, feces, garbage and a pungent odour of urine could be smelled outside of the suite.

It was reported to police that the dog had allegedly been subjected to abuse and beatings by its owner, including most recently on the evening of Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020.

Police seized the animals and transported them to the city’s Animal Care and Control Centre.

Talon Lasytchuk, 20, has since been charged with causing unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to an animal under the Criminal Code, and causing an animal to be in distress and failure to provide adequate shelter, ventilation or space under the Animal Protection Act.

EPS commits to action for city's racialized and underserved communities

21 Sep 2020 14:00:00 UT

Chief Dale McFee is announcing a commitment to action by the Edmonton Police Service to engage with the city’s Black, Indigenous, racialized, and underserved communities in improving policing, and reimagining community safety and well-being.

The new strategy acknowledges current community concerns and calls for change, addresses racial injustice, and advocates for the need to work collectively to build, strengthen and repair police-community relationships.

“The murder of George Floyd launched a movement and a demand for action that required every police service in every city to look inward and ask themselves what path they wanted to take,” says Chief McFee. “I am honoured to say that Edmontonians have chosen a path of equity and progress, and have called on EPS to help them build a better, safer community and a better world. Not every city can say they have done that, and not every city can say they collectively chose a better path forward.”

Edmonton City Council held public hearings in June 2020 to better understand how Edmontonians viewed police. The comments at the hearings highlighted the tenuous nature of police relationships with marginalized communities in Edmonton, and that a segment of the population has historically not felt seen, heard or protected by police. Overall, the need for an equitable, restorative and ongoing approach came to the forefront.

In response, EPS is now moving forward with a commitment to action through community engagement, where safe spaces will be created for extensive conversations with communities, then EPS will work with these communities to implement the required changes as soon as possible.

As part of the ongoing engagement, EPS will also be introducing a new community advisory council, which will work directly with various areas of EPS on changes to policy, procedure and operations. The new Chief’s Community Council will be guided by people who experience marginalization, racism and discrimination, as well as community and business partners, and allow for meaningful intercommunity collaboration and problem solving.

EPS recently kicked off the first of its community engagement sessions, and the response from participants was both powerful and promising – not only in helping to build understanding and trust, but in providing new opportunities to discuss concerns and ways to work together.

Chief McFee adds, “We have heard from community members and our own employees, where our actions and interactions have not been positive. In order to be the good and just people we know ourselves to be, we must acknowledge some uncomfortable truths, and ask ourselves what steps we are taking to hold ourselves accountable. I believe in the Edmonton Police Service’s ability and willingness to rise to this occasion. I believe we have dedicated professionals who genuinely wish to serve their community and make a positive impact.”

These engagement sessions will be offered across the city through 2021, and groups also have the option of hosting their own events. Those who do not feel comfortable sharing their stories in an open setting, or are looking for more information on the engagement process, can visit www.epsinput.ca to get involved in the conversations.

As the needs of Edmontonians change and the demands on the police service increase, how EPS operates and conducts business continues to evolve. EPS has already begun making changes to its organization through its forward-thinking Vision 2020 Plan to work smarter, partner with the community, and decrease calls for service by diverting people from the criminal justice cycle into the social supports they require.

“Being an antiracist and responsive police service is an incredibly multifaceted task, and we become both the driver and the subject of necessary social change,” says Chief McFee.

“This requires equitable change in our own organization, our training, the kind of environment we provide in our workplaces, in the way our internal relationships work, the way we budget, and in how we build partnerships to drive progress. What is most important however, is how we establish and sustain our relationships with the community we are here to protect and serve, because we all want a police service that we can be proud of. We look forward to engaging with community members who are ready and willing to roll up their sleeves and work together towards solutions."

Police investigating shooting in rural southwest Edmonton

21 Sep 2020 00:15:00 UT

The Edmonton Police Service is investigating a shooting that took place at a rural property in southwest Edmonton yesterday evening.

At approximately 8:15 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, Southwest Division officers, Leduc RCMP officers, the EPS Tactical Unit and EPS Air 1 responded to the report of a shooting at a rural property in the area of 173 Street and Highway 19. It was reported to police that a male had been shot by another male at a residence in the area.

Upon arrival, a female resident exited the home and reported to responding officers that the male suspect may be still be somewhere on the property. Moments later, Air 1 located the male suspect near the residence and, prior to police engagement, observed the suspect suffer a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

As a safety precaution, the EPS Tactical Unit used an Armoured Rescue Vehicle (ARV) to remove the 65-year-old injured male from the residence. EMS also attended to the 22-year-old male suspect who was subsequently declared deceased at the scene.

EMS responded, treated and transported the injured male to hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries where he remains. The 63-year-old female resident did not report any injuries.

The Director of Law Enforcement (DLE) was notified of this incident and directed the EPS to investigate.

It is believed that all three occupants of the home knew one another; however, they were not related.

Charges laid in homicide of Tyler Lines, police continue to seek persons of interest

19 Sep 2020 21:30:00 UT

The Edmonton Police Service has charged a 32-year-old man in relation to the death of Tyler Lines, 38.

On Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, Riad El-mir, 32, was arrested and has since been charged with first-degree murder, resisting arrest and breaching a conditional order.

Investigators continue to look for four persons of interest and are releasing photos in hopes that someone may recognize them and come forward with information.

Female and male persons of interest

Additional photos of first male person of interest

Same female as previous and a second male person of interest

Third male person of interest

Anyone with information about these persons or the events leading up to the assault are encouraged 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.

Background

At approximately 6 a.m. on Saturday, July 25, 2020, in the area of 119 Avenue and Wayne Gretzky Drive, passers-by came across an injured male, who was then transported to hospital by EMS. At the time, no report was made to police.

On Sunday. July 26, 2020, police were contacted by hospital staff, and a subsequent investigation determined that the male had been assaulted in the area where he was found. As the male’s condition continued to deteriorate, Homicide Section was involved in the investigation. On August 5, 2020, the male succumbed to his injuries.

On Friday, August 7, 2020, the Edmonton Medical Examiner completed an autopsy on the deceased, identified as Tyler Lines. The manner of death was determined to be homicide, and the cause of death was blunt force head trauma.

On Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020, police released photos of five persons of interest in the investigation. One of them has since been identified.

ASIRT investigating officer involved shooting

19 Sep 2020 02:30:00 UT

At approximately 4:15 p.m. this afternoon, Friday, Sept. 18, 2020, Northeast Division officers were dispatched to the report of a man with a weapon at a residence in the area of 118 Avenue and 68 Street.

Upon arrival at the residence, two officers encountered a male. A confrontation occurred between the suspect and police, and the officers discharged their service weapons.

EMS attended the scene and declared the male deceased. No EPS officers were harmed during this incident.

The EPS will not be providing further comment, as the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has since taken the lead in this investigation.

Police investigating $180,000 vandalism incident at Foote Field

17 Sep 2020 18:26:29 UT

The Edmonton Police Service is investigating a vandalism incident that caused an estimated $180,000 in damages to the Foote Field sports dome last weekend.

It was reported to police that on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, at approximately 10:35 p.m., a suspect climbed over the rail on the west side of Foote Field, then proceeded to slash the side of the fabric sports dome in multiple places, while walking adjacent to it.

The suspect is described as a thin to medium build white male with light brown or dirty blond hair and stands approximately 5’8 to 6 feet tall. He was wearing black pants, black jacket, black hoodie (possibly Under Armour) and sneakers, at the time of the incident.

Anyone with information about this vandalism incident 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.

U of A Foote Field vandalism suspect: Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020