Media Releases

Police issue public warning about man harassing neighbourhood women

29 Sep 2023 21:20:00 UT

Edmonton Police Service (EPS) investigators are issuing a warning to the community after a man has repeatedly been reported harassing women in his neighbourhood.

On Thursday, Sep. 14, 2023, Faton Miftari, 39, was arrested and charged with criminal harassment in relation to a series of alleged events that occurred in the Ritchie area. It was reported that Miftari repeatedly watched the complainant’s home, went onto the complainant’s property, banged on the door, asked about the complainant and looked into her windows. Miftari was released with conditions.

Police are currently investigating at least one other recent incident involving another woman in the same neighbourhood.

Miftari has prior convictions from Ontario, including convictions for criminal harassment and break and enter.

Ritchie area residents are asked to contact police if they witness concerning behaviour in their neighbourhood. Witnesses and complainants can 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.

Over 1,460 traffic violations issued during "Operation 24 Hours"

29 Sep 2023 19:10:00 UT

Edmonton Police Service (EPS) officers and City of Edmonton automated enforcement handed out a total of 1,463 traffic violations on Sept. 27, 2023, during Operation 24 Hours.

Of the total 1,463 traffic violations, a combined (automated and manned enforcement) 1,253 were solely related to speed. There were also 210 other violations, which included 84 red light violation infractions, 73 non-hazardous TSA infractions (equipment, documents etc.), 38 hazardous infractions (moving violations), eight distracting driving violations, four criminal code driving offences (impaired, drive while disqualified) and three other criminal code offences.

During this Operation 24 Hours, at approximately 1:50 a.m., EPS Northeast Branch Beat members observed a Ford Econoline van in the area of 132 Avenue and 66 Street bearing a stolen licence plate.

The accused subsequently entered into a criminal flight to which officers did not respond. Air 1, however, was engaged by Northeast officers and located the van parked at a gas station near Yellowhead Trail and Highway 21. Members of the EPS Targeted Response to Auto-theft Prevention Team (TRAP) were able to successfully deploy stop sticks east of Highway 21 on Yellowhead Trail, disabling the vehicle.

Brad O’Toole, 43, was arrested and charged with possession of stolen property over $5,000, criminal flight and breach of conditions.

The Edmonton Police Service and the City of Edmonton coordinate regular enforcement campaigns throughout the year (such as Operation 24 Hours) to improve traffic safety on Edmonton’s roadways.

Police investigating fatal collision

28 Sep 2023 22:45:00 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is investigating a fatal collision that took place at West Edmonton Mall earlier this afternoon.

On Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, at 1:45 p.m. West Branch patrol officers responded to a check on welfare call in the north parkade at West Edmonton Mall (170 Street and 90 Avenue). It was reported to police that a Toyota Camry sedan was travelling through the parkade when an adult male passenger stood up through the sunroof of the sedan. As the vehicle was passing underneath a ramp, the passenger struck a concrete beam.

EMS responded, treated and transported the 18-year-old male passenger to hospital; however, he succumbed to his injuries. The 17-year-old male driver of the sedan and a 15-year-old female passenger did not report any injuries.

EPS Major Collision Investigations Section (MCIS) continues to investigate. Speed and impairment are not believed to be factors in this collision.

Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the collision or has dashcam footage of the accident 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 public's assistance locating 33-year-old man

28 Sep 2023 21:00:00 UT

The Edmonton Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing 33-year-old man.

Evan Lafreniere, 33, was reportedly last seen in the area of 118 Avenue and 82 Street at approximately 7:10 a.m. on Monday, September 25, 2023. He has not been in contact with friends or family since this date.

Evan is described as 6’3” tall and weighs approximately 180 lbs. He recently shaved his head and has a reddish-brown beard. He was last seen wearing a light blue/teal zip hoodie (as pictured), jeans and black converse sneakers.

Missing man: Evan Lafreniere, 33

Evan does not have any contacts in Edmonton but is known to frequent the area of 106 Avenue and 99 Street. Without access to medication, his family and police are concerned for his safety and wellbeing.

Police seek public's assistance locating 29-year-old man

28 Sep 2023 20:40:00 UT

The Edmonton Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a 29-year-old male who was last seen yesterday evening.

Brisen Peterson, 29, was reportedly last seen at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, in the area of 174 Avenue and Fort Road.

Police are actively searching for Peterson and have concerns for his well being. He has been known to be aggressive and may believe he is a police officer. As result, investigators advise not approaching Peterson and immediately contacting the police.

Peterson is described as a white male, 6’3” tall with red shoulder length hair. He was last seen wearing blue jeans and a plaid hooded jacket. Photos of Peterson are included below.

Brisen Peterson, 29

Investigators believe he may be in the Edmonton or Edson, Alberta area.

Anyone with information about Peterson’s whereabouts is asked to immediately 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.tipsubmit.com/start.htm.

Charges laid in death of child

28 Sep 2023 18:11:00 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) Homicide Section has laid charges in the death of a child that occurred in August of this year.

On Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023, at approximately 12:00 p.m., police responded to a residence in the area of 130 Avenue and 105 Street on the report of an 18-month-old female who was reportedly in medical distress. EMS responded and declared the child deceased on scene.

The circumstances surrounding the child’s death appeared suspicious and as such, the EPS Homicide Section assumed the investigation.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner completed an autopsy Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023, and determined that further testing was required to establish the child’s cause and manner of death.

Homicide Detectives continued to investigate while working with the Medical Examiner’s Office until the toxicology results were received.

On Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, a 27-year-old woman was charged with manslaughter and criminal negligence causing death. The EPS will not be releasing the name of the accused to protect the privacy of other children in the family.

Murder charges laid in 2022 death

28 Sep 2023 13:38:00 UT

The suspicious death of a female discovered in December of 2022 has now been confirmed to be a homicide.

On Friday, Dec. 23, 2022, at approximately 1:00 a.m., Downtown Branch patrol officers responded to the report of a suspicious death in an apartment in the area of 107 Street and 107 Avenue. Upon arrival Kathleen Gamhour, 58, was located deceased and forensic evidence located within the suite led police to believe the circumstances of the death were criminal in nature.

Andrew Harvey Boviz, 38, was charged in relation to the incident with indignity to a dead body, but the investigation into the death continued.

An autopsy was conducted by the Edmonton Medical Examiner on Dec. 27, 2022. The cause and manner of death were not determined at that time.

On Aug. 8, 2023, the Edmonton Medical Examiner determined the cause of death to be multiple injuries including blunt force trauma, and the manner of death to be homicide. That information was not released to the public for investigative purposes.

On Sept. 19, 2023, an arrest warrant for Boviz was requested with a charge of second-degree murder.

“I applaud our investigators whose diligent work has brought this file before the court,” says Acting Staff Sergeant Jared Buhler of the EPS Homicide Section. “Our thoughts remain with Kathleen’s loved ones.”

Police seek public's assistance in identifying suspects in protest incident

27 Sep 2023 19:42:26 UT

The Edmonton Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying two suspects in a mischief incident believed to be hate-motivated that occurred during the “1 Million March for Children” protest.

On Wednesday, Sep. 20, 2023, during a protest against the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity in the school curriculum, a pride flag was torn down. The large, 10-foot by 20-foot flag had been affixed to the outside of the Alberta Teachers’ Association building’s parkade at 142 Street and 111 Avenue, facing 142 Street. It was found on the ground outside of the parkade, torn to the point that it was no longer usable.

The EPS Hate Crimes Unit provided front line officers with consultation and investigative support during the protest, and is assisting with this investigation.

Two unknown males were seen on surveillance footage running through the parkade during the protest. Police are circulating the suspects’ images in the hopes that someone may be able to identify them.

Anyone who can identify the suspects 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.

Report Hate Crime

The EPS takes hate-motivated incidents and crimes very seriously. These events hurt not only the victim, but the vicarious trauma has an impact on entire communities. Hate incidents can now be reported online. Hate crime should be reported to police at 911 if it’s an emergency, or 780-423-4567 if it is not an emergency.

For more information about the difference between hate-motivated incidents and hate-motivated crime, visit the EPS website.

Police seek public’s assistance identifying robbery suspects

27 Sep 2023 18:01:00 UT

The Edmonton Police Service is seeking the public's assistance with identifying four suspects involved in a robbery in southeast Edmonton.

On Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, at approximately 6:30 p.m., three males and one female reportedly entered a liquor store on 23 Avenue and 52 Street. One of the males demanded cash from the till while the other males stole bottles of alcohol.

The first suspect is described as an Indigenous male who is approximately 5’10” with an average build. He was wearing gold framed aviator sunglasses with purple reflective lenses, a black bandanna with white markings, a black hoodie with white PUMA logos and black slider sandals.

The second suspect is described as an Indigenous male who is approximately 6'0” tall with a heavy build. He was wearing a dark hoodie with a red/white 'Jordan' logo, a black leather jacket, a light-colored face mask with a dragon and flower pattern, and red shoes with black toe caps and soles.

The third suspect is described as an Indigenous male who is approximately 5'10” with a heavy build. He was wearing a black hoodie with a Champion logo on the front, blue work pants with yellow stripe reflectors and dark colored plaid loafer shoes.

The fourth suspect is described as an Indigenous female who is approximately 5’6” tall with an average build, who was wearing pink or red polish on her nails. She was wearing yellow framed sunglasses, a black Reebok hoodie with a white pattern on the sleeves and blue jeans at the time of the robbery.

Thankfully, no employees or citizens were injured during this robbery. Robbery detectives continue to investigate.

First suspect

Second suspect

Third suspect

Fourth suspect

Suspicious death of 69-year-old male deemed homicide

26 Sep 2023 17:36:00 UT

The suspicious death of a male earlier this month has now been confirmed to be a homicide.

On Friday, Sept. 1, 2023, at approximately 12:45 a.m., Northwest Branch patrol officers responded to a call for assistance from Edmonton Fire Rescue Services after they located Fred Kolybaba, 69, deceased inside a residence in the area of 132 Street and 133 Avenue.

An autopsy was conducted by the Edmonton Medical Examiner on Sept. 7, 2023, though the cause and manner of death were not released for investigative reasons. Kolybaba’s death has since been ruled a homicide; the cause of death is not being released at this time.

Police continue to seek any information from the public regarding the circumstances surrounding the death of Kolybaba. Homicide investigators would like to speak to anyone that came into contact with Kolybaba in the late afternoon / evening of Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023, or who may have information about the events leading up to his death.