Media Releases

Homicide Section investigating suspicious death

21 May 2019 21:15:00 UT

The Edmonton Police Service’s Homicide Section is investigating the suspicious death of a 26-year-old male that took place late yesterday.

At approximately 10:20 p.m. yesterday, Monday, May 20, 2019, Northwest Division officers responded to the report of a disturbance in the area of 101 Street and 118 Avenue.

A short time later, police were advised by a local hospital that a 26-year-old male had arrived with life-threatening injuries. The male reportedly died shortly thereafter.

Homicide Section has since assumed the investigation. An autopsy has been scheduled for Thursday, May 23, 2019.

No further information is being released at this time.

Police investigate suspicious death in northwest Edmonton

17 May 2019 00:05:00 UT

The Edmonton Police Service’s Homicide Section is investigating the suspicious death of a 48-year-old male in northwest Edmonton yesterday evening.

At approximately 6:20 p.m., Wednesday, May 15, 2019, Northwest Division patrol officers were called to an incident at a residence in the area of 185 Street and 121 Avenue. Upon further investigation, officers discovered the body of a deceased 48-year-old male nearby.

The Edmonton Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy today, Thursday, May 16, 2019, and the results were inconclusive. As a result, the cause and manner of death remain undetermined at this time.

Homicide detectives continue to investigate this death and the events that may have preceded it. Police do not presently have anyone in custody.

There are no further details available for release at this time.

Investigators are urging anyone who may have been in the area yesterday evening and may have information about this suspicious death 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 person of interest in connection to SE Edmonton B&E Series

16 May 2019 19:57:11 UT

The Edmonton Police Service is seeking assistance from the public in identifying a person of interest in connection to a recent residential B&E series in southeast Edmonton.

Investigators believe the male individual seen in the photo below may have information regarding a series of over-night break and enters that occurred between April 24-30, 2019.

In each of the incidents, suspects gained entry into the complainants’ primary residence through unlocked garages and dwelling doors. Once inside, while residents of the home slept, the suspects quickly located vehicle keys and wallets nearby, before stealing the vehicles.

Neighbourhoods targeted included Lee Ridge, Kameyosek, Weinlos, Laurel, Millbourne and Ellerslie.

Anyone with information regarding the identity of this individual and/or this southeast residential B&E series should contact police 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 investigators are releasing surveillance images regarding a person of interest wanted in connection to a recent southeast Edmonton residential B&E series.

Police encourage citizens to keep a watchful eye over their neighbourhoods for cannabis extraction labs

15 May 2019 15:54:27 UT

The Edmonton Police Service is reminding the public to keep a watchful eye over their neighbourhoods on the heels of several recent residential explosions involving cannabis butane extraction labs.

Cannabis labs involve the extraction of THC from cannabis to illegally produce cannabis oil or shatter, a concentrated form of THC.

“These explosions can be deadly, not only for the individuals living in the residence being used as a cannabis extraction lab, but also for those neighbours living nearby,” says EPS Sgt. Guy Pilon, of the Clan Lab Response team.

“Criminals are using highly explosive materials including butane and propane. “The vapor from just one regular sized can of butane has the capacity to destroy a 1,450 square foot home. These individuals are putting law-abiding citizens at risk.”

“We want citizens to be mindful and others such as food delivery drivers and the landlords of rental properties to ensure they are acting responsibly and checking on their properties regularly to ensure they aren’t be used by criminals who only care about making money, not about the neighbours’ safety.”

Investigators are reminding citizens to be vigilant, and to contact EPS if they see suspicious behaviour in their neighbourhood, including empty butane canisters being put out for weekly garbage pickup, or equipment set up in residences or garages including lengthy stainless steel extraction tubes, pressurized containers connected together with wiring or new venting, which has been cut into the side of the residence.

In 2018, the EPS Clan Lab Response Team consulted with divisional officers on 17 investigations and responded to eight illegal cannabis grow operations.

Anyone who suspects they may have a cannabis extraction lab in their community is asked to contact police 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 locate, arrest Paul Egotak

14 May 2019 21:15:44 UT

Paul Egotak was arrested in Edmonton on Sunday, May 12, 2019, on outstanding warrants and new charges.

Egotak, 29, was wanted for alleged breaches of recognizance. The Edmonton Police Service issued a news release on Friday, Dec. 28, 2018, seeking assistance to locate Egotak.

Egotak remains in police custody and is charged with breach of recognizance (x3), obstructing a peace officer and possess forged document.

No further information is available at this time.

Assault suspect located

14 May 2019 19:00:00 UT

A 25-year-old man who was reportedly involved in an assault in west Edmonton last week has been located.

On Monday, May 13, 2019, Emmanuel Kwame Amponsah, 25, turned himself into police. Amponsah was charged with several outstanding warrants, including assault, assault with a weapon and disobey a court order for the May 6, 2019, incident.

The EPS would like to thank the public and the media for sharing the assist to locate media release.

Background

It was reported to police that on Monday, May 6, 2019, Emmanuel Kwame Amponsah, 25, and a female complainant were involved in a verbal dispute at a west Edmonton residence. The dispute reportedly escalated and ended with Amponsah assaulting the female physically and with a weapon. The female and Amponsah are reportedly known to one another.

On Friday, May 10, 2019, police issued a media release seeking the public’s assistance locating Amponsah.

Amponsah was wanted on three outstanding warrants related to this incident.

Former EPS member charged with sexual assault

10 May 2019 20:41:26 UT

A former EPS member has been charged with sexual assault in connection to a May 2nd incident at a southwest Edmonton residence.

It was reported to police that the 29-year-old accused male initially met a female complainant at a local establishment, before returning to the accused’s residence in the early-morning hours on Thursday, May 2, 2019.

At approximately 3:15 a.m. that morning, Southwest Division patrol members responded to a trouble unknown call at that same address. It was reported to police that the accused male had forced non-consensual sex acts on the female complainant.

The accused, Toby Weighman, 29, resigned from the Edmonton Police Service on Monday, May 6, 2019.

Sexual Assault Section investigators have since charged Weighman with forcible confinement and sexual assault.

Edmonton man charged with manslaughter in connection to death of 26-year-old male

10 May 2019 18:49:32 UT

The Edmonton Police Service Homicide Section has charged Christopher William Chase, 36, with manslaughter in connection to the death of a 26-year-old Edmonton man.

It was reported to police that on Sunday, April 21, 2019, at approximately 5:30 a.m., Chase was involved in an altercation with a 26-year-old male outside of a convenience store near 107 Avenue and 156 Street.

Chase is alleged to have approached the complainant, pushed and knocked him to the ground, subsequently causing the 26-year-old male to strike his head on the parking lot pavement. The complainant was treated and transported to hospital by paramedics, where he eventually succumbed to his injuries on Saturday, April 27, 2019.

Autopsy results released by the Edmonton Medical Examiner’s Office earlier this week confirmed the cause of death was blunt force trauma with the manner of death being homicide.

Homicide investigators initially arrested and charged Chase with aggravated assault, a charge that was upgraded to manslaughter on May 7^th, following the complainant’s death.

Every investigation is evaluated on a case by case basis. The EPS has decided not to release the name of the deceased in this investigation for the following reasons: it does not serve an investigative purpose.

EPS lays charges in underage human sex trafficking investigation; seeks additional complainants

10 May 2019 17:00:00 UT

The Edmonton Police Service Human Trafficking and Exploitation Unit has laid 34 charges against an Edmonton man and woman in a human trafficking investigation.

In February 2019, EPS Human Trafficking and Exploitation Unit detectives became aware of a 15-year-old female who was becoming involved in the sex trade. She was immediately apprehended by police under the Protection of Sexually Exploited Children’s Act (PSECA).

A thorough investigation revealed that between December 2018 and March 2019, an adult male and female jointly recruited, procured and trafficked both the 15-year-old female as well as an additional 16-year-old female from a residence in central Edmonton.

On May 1, 2019, Louisa Wallis, 25 was arrested and charged with 20 offences, including trafficking of a person under the age of 18 years (x2), sexual assault of a person under 16 years, agreement or arrangement of sexual offences against a child (x2) and making child pornography (x2).

Louisa Wallis, 25

On May 1, 2019, Michael Moffat, 24, was also charged with 14 offences in relation to this investigation, including trafficking of a person under the age of 18 years (x2), sexual assault of a person under 16 years, and making child pornography (x2).

Michael Moffat, 24

“Human trafficking isn’t always an elaborate, organized operation like you see in the movies; it can be two people exploiting victims in a residence or hotel room next door,” says Det. Dan Duiker with the Human Trafficking and Exploitation Unit. “If you notice unusual or suspicious activity, report it to police. A dispute between a couple could be much more than meets the eye. Your report could save a vulnerable youth from going down a path they can’t escape.”

Signs of human trafficking and sexual exploitation include frequent arrivals and departures at unusual hours, introduction of young females or males in the home who did not live there before, evasive behaviour on the part of the trafficker or the victim, evidence of drug use, physical or emotional abuse, withdrawing from family and friends or unexplained new clothing or valuables.

Detectives believe there may be others who have been victimized by the two accused, and are encouraging additional complainants to come forward by contacting 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.

Autopsy results confirm 21-year-old male was stabbed to death

08 May 2019 21:47:34 UT

Autopsy results released earlier today by the Edmonton Medical Examiner confirm that Baljit Singh, 21, of Edmonton, died from a stab wound and the manner of death is homicide.

Singh was found lying on the ground in critical condition early Tuesday morning, May 7, 2019, in an apartment parking lot south of 122 Street and the Whitemud Freeway.

It was reported to police that Singh sustained critical injuries, as a result of an altercation with a group of suspects. The 21-year-old male succumbed to his injuries on scene shortly thereafter, despite attempts by police and paramedics to save his life.

Homicide detectives continue to investigate, and are urging anyone with information about Singh’s murder and/or the suspects involved to contact 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.tipsubmit.com/start.htm.

Every investigation is evaluated on a case by case basis. The EPS has decided to release the name of the deceased in this investigation for the following reasons: it serves an investigative purpose.