Media Releases

Police investigating fatal collision involving a pedestrian and a train

29 Jul 2025 07:00:00 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is investigating a fatal collision between a train and a pedestrian.

On Monday, July 28, 2025, just before 7:30 p.m. officers were called to a collision involving a CN Rail train and a pedestrian. It happened near 34 Avenue, just west of Railway Street. Both the EPS Major Collision Investigations Section (MCIS) and CN Police responded to the scene.

The victim has not yet been identified and MCIS continues to investigate. No charges have been laid at this time.

Edmonton Police Service releases 2024 crime stats

28 Jul 2025 15:43:00 UT

The EPS has released its 2024 year-end crime analysis. The statistics show a 6% reduction in Edmonton’s total crime rate in 2024 - the number of police-reported crimes per 100,000 people. They also show an overall 5% reduction in Edmonton’s total crime severity index (CSI), which measures the volume and severity of crime.

In 2024, Edmonton’s violent CSI saw a 10% decrease, compared to 2023 levels. Additionally, Edmonton’s violent crime rate decreased by 3% in 2024 and was lower than both the national and provincial average.

“These figures demonstrate encouraging results that are a direct product of targeted police work that dedicates the right resources to the right places, through initiatives like our Transit Community Safety (TRACS) teams and our Guns and Gangs Strategy,” says Interim Chief Warren Driechel. “In addition, we continued to see an increase in proactive policing efforts through 2024, which has a significant impact in disrupting crime and is a contributor to seeing violent crime trend to a 5-year low. Over the past 18 months, we have leaned heavily on high-visibility policing placements in areas like transit hubs and core communities. We know we need to turn the tide in terms of how Edmontonians perceive crime and disorder in these areas.”

At the same time, other areas have ticked up in the 2024 report, many of which are tied to the disorder that is still highly visible across many communities and is closely aligned with what the community is telling us about their perceptions of crime. In 2024, shoplifting under $5,000 increased by 12%, a number which is likely underreported, and which is both criminal and a precursor to much of the disorder seen on the street. Methamphetamine and opioid possession have increased in the same period by 116% and 152% respectively and police calls on matters such as ‘trouble with person’, encampment complaints, trespassing and checks on welfare have all been increasing year over year since 2020, and continued to rise in 2024. Calls for service about disorder steadily increase over the last 4-years, culminating at nearly 100,000 calls in 2024.

“These incidents have a significant impact on the well-being of the community and on how safe our communities feel,” added Driechel. “We will continue to emphasize our proactive policing and will work with our partners in government and in the community to respond to conditions on the street, along with the criminal precursors to much of the disorder we see.”

In addition, we will continue to lobby for an increase in accountability within the justice system overall, the need for which is obvious as we saw a 19% increase in probation breaches and a 4% increase in failures to comply with orders in 2024.

As our city continues to grow, so does our approach to addressing the sentiment surrounding crime and disorder while we continue the promising progress we’ve made on lowering our crime rates.

The EPS is honoured to serve Edmonton and remains committed to making our city a better, safer place to live, work and visit.

EPS Launches Public Dashboard

This year, the EPS is presenting the 2024 crime statistics in a dashboard so that members of the media and public have easy access to the data and trends surrounding Edmonton’s crime rate, top violations as well as their comparisons to provincial and national figures.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2024 YEAR-END CRIME ANALYSIS

Edmonton’s Crime Severity Index (CSI) decreased by 5% between 2023 and 2024

Edmonton’s total crime rate decreased by 6% between 2023 and 2024

Edmonton’s violent CSI decreased by 10% between 2023 and 2024

Edmonton’s violent crime rate decreased by 3% between 2023 and 2024

Disorder calls for service have increased by 8.6% between 2023 and 2024

Police generated calls for service from 2020 to 2025

Police seek to identify suspect in Cybertruck vandalism

25 Jul 2025 19:14:40 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is asking the public for assistance in identifying a suspect involved in a mischief to vehicle incident.

On the morning of July 13, 2025, it was reported that at 11:05 p.m. the previous evening, an unknown male suspect threw rocks at the windshield of a parked Tesla Cybertruck, resulting in more than $3000 in damage.

Police are now asking the public for assistance in identifying the male suspect pictured in the images below, which were obtained from the vehicle’s on-board camera.

Suspect in mischief to vehicle incident

Anyone with information about the identity of the 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.

Police release composite sketch of sexual assault suspect

25 Jul 2025 16:15:59 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is seeking information that may help identify a suspect in a southeast Edmonton sexual assault.

At approximately 7 a.m. on May 28, 2025, police responded to the report of a sexual assault in the Aster neighbourhood. It was reported that an adult female complainant had awoken to find an unknown male in her bed. She immediately fled the residence, and when she returned, the male was gone.

A surveillance video canvass of the area was unsuccessful, and as such, police are releasing a composite sketch of the suspect in the hope that it may lead to tips about his identity.

Composite sketch of sexual assault suspect

The suspect is described as a Hispanic or South Asian male, possibly in his early 20s, clean shaven, who is 5’6” to 5’7” tall with a slight build.

At this time, investigators believe this to be an isolated incident, and there is no known ongoing risk to the public.

Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to contact the Edmonton Police Service 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 vehicle struck on Anthony Henday Drive

24 Jul 2025 21:00:00 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is investigating a collision involving a police vehicle and a semi-truck and trailer that took place early this morning in east Edmonton.

On Thursday, July 24, 2025, at approximately 2:40 a.m., Extra Duty Detail officers were facilitating a vessel move in the southbound lanes of Anthony Henday Drive near Sherwood Park, just south of the Whitemud Drive overpass. While maintaining traffic control, a stationary marked patrol vehicle with overhead emergency lights activated was struck from behind by a semi-truck towing two trailers.

EMS responded, treated and transported the lone officer in the police vehicle to hospital with seemingly non-life-threatening injuries. The officer has since been released. No other injuries were reported.

Major Collision Investigations Section (MCIS) is now investigating this collision. Alcohol is not believed to be a factor. The driver of the semi remained on scene.

“When incidents like this occur, we must reinforce our message asking motorists to slow down when approaching an emergency vehicle or tow truck with emergency lights activated,” says Acting Staff Sergeant Brad Harsch with MCIS. “Conducting vehicle stops or traffic control are risks police regularly navigate, but it is important for motorists to recognize the hazards and the potential consequences a member of the public or officer can face if traffic laws are not followed. We are thankful our officer is alive and apparently not seriously injured.”

Motorists are asked to please remain focused on the safe operation of their vehicles and the traffic around them. Further, Alberta’s Traffic Safety Act (TSA) requires drivers to slow down to 60 km/h when passing emergency vehicles and tow trucks with emergency lights engaged and working roadside. If possible, drivers should provide one lane of space on multi-lane roadways.

Sexual offender at large

24 Jul 2025 02:00:00 UT

Prabhjeet Singh, 21, is a sexual offender who has removed the ankle bracelet that was placed on him for monitoring.

Singh was being monitored in relation to an incident involving a minor that took place in May 2025. He is expected in court on July 29, 2025, and there are concerns he may attempt to flee the country.

His last known location was in a rural area (Range Road 195) near Sherwood Park, Alberta in Lamont County on Sunday, July 20, 2025.

Singh is 6’0” and 173 lbs, with black hair and brown eyes. Singh has ties to India and may be trying to make his way there.

Anyone who encounters him is advised not to approach and to immediately contact police.

Prabhjeet Singh, 21

Anyone with any information about Singh’s whereabouts is asked to contact the EPS immediately at 911. Anonymous information can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.p3tips.com/250.

Police investigating central Edmonton death

23 Jul 2025 22:00:00 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is investigating the death of a man that took place in central Edmonton this week.

On Monday, July 21, 2025, at approximately 10:30 a.m., Northwest Branch Patrol responded to reports of an assault during an altercation at a residence in the area of 93 Street and 116 Avenue. When police arrived, they located an injured 68-year-old male. He was treated and transported by EMS to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Despite lifesaving efforts by EMS and EPS members on scene, the injured male succumbed to his injuries in hospital.

The Edmonton Medical Examiner completed an autopsy on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, and the cause and manner of death remain undetermined pending further testing.

A 48-year-old male was arrested on scene and has since been released. The two men were known to each other.

Homicide Section continues to investigate.

Music teacher charged with sexual assault

23 Jul 2025 19:31:01 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) has charged a 68-year-old music teacher with sexual assault.

It was reported to police that between 2024 and 2025, a 9-year-old female had been sexually assaulted by her 68-year-old male piano teacher on several occasions while taking lessons at the accused’s residence.

On July 22, 2025, Peter Burandt, 68, was arrested and charged with sexual assault and sexual interference. He was given conditions not to have any contact or communication with any person under the age of 16 years old, with the exception of incidental of superficial contact with persons under 16, including those who are:

customers at his workplace
employed at other places of business, as long as such contact is necessary for him to conduct transactions there as a customer
students at his place of employment, while he is acting in a professional capacity as a music instructor, provided that such contact occurs only at his workplace, is conducted in the presence of another responsible adult aged 18 years or over and does not take place in any private residence or location outside of his place of employment.

Peter Burandt, 68

Burandt has reportedly been teaching piano and violin lessons to children for 20 years. Investigators believe he may have offended against other victims, and are encouraging them to come forward.

Anyone who believes they or their child may have been victimized by the accused is asked to contact the Edmonton Police Service 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 make arrests in luxury car theft operation

23 Jul 2025 18:00:00 UT

Two brazen thefts of luxury vehicles from an Edmonton dealership lead to officers laying charges against four people.

On Wednesday, July 2, 2025, around 3 p.m., a male entered a local Lexus dealership and asked to test drive a Lexus RX 350. The suspect took off in the vehicle and attempts to track it were unsuccessful.

The following day, around 3:15 p.m., police were called after a suspect, who was test driving a Lexus RX 500, stopped and ordered the sales person out of the vehicle before taking off.

Members from the Edmonton Police Services West Division Patrol and Targeted Response to Auto Theft Prevention (TRAP) teams, in cooperation with Lexus, were able to track the vehicle.

On Friday, July 4, 2025, TRAP conducted a search warrant and seized supplies used for stealing and re-vining vehicles. Police have since arrested four suspects and recovered the two stolen Lexus vehicles.

“Members of the West Division Patrol, with support from TRAP and other units, did an outstanding job investigating, locating, and arresting a group of individuals involved in this sophisticated auto theft ring,” said Staff Sergeant Roger Bellerose. “Getting this criminal operation off the street is a big win for EPS, and local dealerships.”

Three suspects; Evan Balchen, 37, Mathew McGraw-Ward, 37 and Steven Brown, 40 face a combined total of 13 criminal charges, including: possession of a forged or falsified credit card, possession of forged documents and possession of stolen property over $5000.

A fourth suspect, Mohammed Elghadban, 45, faces five criminal charges including: theft of a motor vehicle, uttering forged documents and impersonation with the intent to gain advantage.

EPS warns of apartment theft series

23 Jul 2025 16:02:17 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is warning the public of a series of apartment break and enters that recently took place in central Edmonton.

Police were called to an apartment complex near 106 Street and 97 Avenue on Monday, July 7, 2025. It was reported by apartment security and tenants that several units had been broken into, and various items had been stolen.

The suspects had marked the doorframes of the units with glue in an attempt to identify which units were left unoccupied for extended periods of time.

Police are now asking the public for assistance in identifying the suspects believed to be involved.

Suspect 1 is described as male, wearing blue jeans, and a blue jacket with navy blue baseball cap.

Suspect 2 is described as male, wearing black pants, blue shirt, and dark baseball cap.

Surveillance image of suspects

Surveillance image of suspect

The suspects were seen in the area from midnight to 1 a.m. on July 1. Additionally, police are asking anyone who may have witnessed these two individuals in the area or witnessed suspicious activity on Sunday, June 29 around 1 a.m. are asked to come forward to police.

Anyone with information about these thefts 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 are also asking the public to remain vigilant when leaving their property for extended periods of time.

“We’re reaching peak summer vacation time. If you know you’re going to be away from your residence for some time, it’s a good idea to have a trusted friend, family member, or neighbour check in on your property frequently while you’re away,” says Acting Superintendent Brent Dahlseide from EPS’s downtown branch. “If you have any cash, jewellery, or other valuables in your home, secure them safely.”

To learn more safety tips for your home, visit our website https://www.edmontonpolice.ca/CrimePrevention/HomePropertySafety/ProtectingYourHome