Media Releases

Charge laid in May 2019 homicide

16 Jan 2020 22:20:00 UT

The Edmonton Police Service Homicide Section has charged a 38-year-old male in connection with the May 2019 death of Caitlin Helle, 26.

Billy Joe Stone, 38, was arrested on Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, and has since been charged with second degree murder.

Background

At approximately 10:20 p.m., 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 a life-threatening injury. The male reportedly died shortly thereafter.

The Edmonton Medical Examiner completed an autopsy and confirmed that Caitlin Helle, 26, died as a result of a stab wound, and the manner of death is homicide.

Four charged in connection to break and enter

15 Jan 2020 18:43:06 UT

The Edmonton Police Service has arrested and charged three males and one female in connection to a break and enter in Namao, AB early Monday morning.

James Leblanc, 37, Trevor Sewepegaham, 42, Kieran Goldsmith, 42 and Ashlyn Tomalty, 33 are each charged with shopbreaking to commit theft.

Tomalty is additionally charged with attempt to commit murder (x2), assault with weapon (x2), flight from peace officer, dangerous operation, operation while prohibited, possess stolen property over $5,000, and one breach.

Background

At approximately 4:10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, two Northeast Division officers came upon a break and enter in progress at a gas station in the area of Range Road 244 and Hwy 37. When members challenged the suspects, contact between the suspect and EPS vehicles occurred, resulting in EPS members discharging their firearms.

A criminal flight ensued, which led the officers to the area of 25005 Sturgeon Road. A second vehicle contact occurred, at which point the officers again discharged their firearms.

One male sustained non-life threatening injuries and was treated and transported to hospital. Three other suspects were taken into custody.

No EPS officers were harmed during this incident.

ASIRT is investigating the officer-involved shooting portion of this incident.

New evidence confirms missing person Patricia Pangracs is deceased; foul play is suspected

14 Jan 2020 23:01:00 UT

The EPS’ Homicide Section has confirmed missing person Patricia Wendy Pangracs, 32, is deceased and continues to seek information surrounding the circumstances of her death. Pangracs was last heard from on Saturday, June 8, 2019, and was reported missing on Monday, July 8, 2019.

On August 10, 2019, the EPS’ Search Managers Unit, in conjunction with the investigative team conducted a coordinated search in Strathcona County in relation to the disappearance of Pangracs. A series of events preceding her disappearance suggested she had been in the area.

Later in the fall of last year, the initial search area was further expanded and concealed remains, which have been confirmed to be those of Pangracs, were located.

Based on the information and evidence collected to date, the EPS Homicide Section believes foul play was involved in Pangracs’ death. Both medical and police investigations are ongoing, however the cause of death will not be disclosed at this time for investigative purposes. Homicide Section is currently leading this investigation.

Pangracs was last seen wearing dark pants, blue heeled boots, a dark zippered jacket and a white long-sleeved shirt. She was also carrying a dark colored purse and was in possession of a phone and sunglasses at the time of her disappearance.

CCTV image of Patricia Wendy Pangracs prior to her disappearance

Investigators believe Pangracs was in the Bruderheim and Beaumont area in the hours leading up to her disappearance, sometime between the evening of Friday, June 7 and Saturday June 8, 2019. It is believed she had been travelling in a white 2011 Cadillac CTS, which had visible damage on the front passenger bumper.

2011 White Cadillac CTS with front passenger bumper damage

The EPS would like to thank the civilian Search and Rescue organizations and cadaver canines that assisted with the coordinated search, as well as the Strathcona County Emergency Services Technical Rescue Team that assisted in the search and recovery of Pangracs’ remains.

Suspect arrested in December 3 homicide

13 Jan 2020 16:39:50 UT

The Edmonton Police Service Homicide Section has arrested a 31-year-old male in connection with the shooting death of a man in central Edmonton in early December.

On the afternoon of Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020, Michael Tyrel Arnold, 31, was arrested without incident at a residence in central Edmonton. Arnold was wanted in relation to the shooting death of 45-year-old Arthur Charles Edward Beauchamp on Dec. 3, 2019.

Arnold is charged with second degree murder and breach of firearms prohibition order (x3).

Police are not looking for additional suspects in relation to this homicide.

Background

On Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019 just after 10 a.m., Downtown Division patrol members responded to a 911 call regarding a family dispute at an apartment building near 103 Avenue and 115 Street.

Upon arrival, police and paramedics discovered Beauchamp in medical distress outside the apartment complex.

Paramedics treated and transported him to hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

On Friday, Dec. 6, 2019, autopsy results confirmed Beauchamp died from a gun-shot wound, and the manner of death was homicide.

On Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019, the EPS issued a request for public assistance in locating Michael Tyrel Arnold, 31 in connection with the homicide.

ASIRT investigating officer-involved shooting

13 Jan 2020 16:00:00 UT

At approximately 4:10 a.m. this morning, Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, two Northeast Division officers came upon a break and enter in progress at a gas station in the area of Range Road 244 and Hwy 37. When members challenged the suspects, contact between the suspect and EPS vehicles occurred, resulting in EPS members discharging their firearms.

A criminal flight ensued, which led the officers to the area of 25005 Sturgeon Road. A second vehicle contact occurred, at which point the officers again discharged their firearms.

One male sustained non-life threatening injuries and was treated and transported to hospital. Three other suspects were taken into custody.

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.

Missing male located

13 Jan 2020 01:07:00 UT

David Michael Forbes was safely located on January 12, 2020.

Police seek public's assistance identifying robbery suspects

10 Jan 2020 19:30:00 UT

The Edmonton Police Service is asking the public for assistance in identifying three male suspects that investigators believe were recently involved in the robberies of multiple cannabis retailers.

On Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, at approximately 11:40 p.m., Southeast Division officers responded to the report of a robbery at a cannabis retailer in the area of 69 Street and 76 Avenue. It was reported to police that an unknown male entered the business and threatened a staff member with a weapon before fleeing the business with cash, cannabis and related products.

Since then, three similar robberies involving the same primary suspect took place at other cannabis retailers across the city, including a retailer in the area of 101 Avenue and 175 Street on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019; a retailer in the area of Mark Messier Trail and Mistatim Way on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019; and, most recently, a retailer in the area of 97 Street and 39 Avenue on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020.

In each of these cases, the primary suspect male was reportedly accompanied by a different male accomplice and after threatening staff with a weapon, and in some cases assaulting them, cash, cannabis and related products were taken. The suspects then fled the scene.

The primary suspect is described as a 30-year-old white male with dark hair, though he was also noted wearing a blonde wig. The male is also described as wearing designer label clothing that often includes a plaid scarf (pictured) and black converse style shoes with black laces. Photos of the male are included below.

Primary male suspect

Photos of the two other male suspects are also included below.

Suspect two

Suspect three

Anyone with information about the suspects’ identities is 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.

Northeast Division lays 30 charges in drug investigation

10 Jan 2020 18:46:30 UT

The Edmonton Police Service has laid 30 charges against three men and one woman after search warrants were executed at three north Edmonton addresses.

In spring 2019, Northeast Division Special Projects Team initiated the investigation after becoming aware of a drug trafficking operation in the community.

On Jan. 5, 2020, EPS Tactical Unit executed search warrants at addresses in the McConachie, Klarvatten and Oxford neighbourhoods.

As a result of this investigation, police seized 3.5 kg of cocaine and 1 kg of methamphetamine with a combined street value of more than $277,000, and proceeds of crime equaling a total of almost $200,000 in Canadian currency, as well as $2,075 USD.

“The successful conclusion of this file was the result of a thorough investigative effort by Northeast Division and teamwork across various units of the EPS,” says Cst. Kevin St. Louis, with the Northeast Division Special Projects Team. “We are pleased we were able to disrupt a drug trafficking operation and remove a substantial quantity of cocaine and methamphetamine from our community this week.”

Zaahir Hussain, 28 faces 14 charges, including possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of proceeds of crime over $5000, use forged document (x2) and several charges under the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act and the Drug Endangered Children Act.

Kayla Zawierucha, 27, faces 11 charges, including possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000 and several charges under the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act and the Drug Endangered Children Act.

Walid Safadi, 38, is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking (x2) and possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000.

Alfaz Hussain, 37, is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking (x2)

EPS Special Projects Teams proactively target crime and disorder along with persons associated to these activities. This includes persons that are suspected or known to be involved in stolen property, drugs, fraud, weapons and violence related offences and other criminal offences within the Edmonton region.

Drugs and currency seized

Charges laid in suspicious fires

08 Jan 2020 22:50:00 UT

The Edmonton Police Service has charged a 37-year-old male in relation to three suspicious fires that took place in 2015 and 2019 Camrose and Edmonton.

On Aug 4, 2015, the Camrose Fire Department and Camrose Police Service responded to the report of a fire at a residence in the area of 49 Avenue and 53 Street. No injuries were subsequently reported from this incident.

On Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at approximately 4 a.m., Edmonton Fire Rescue Services (EFRS) responded to the report of a fire in a suite at a motel in the area of 104 Street and 63 Avenue. More than 15 people were evacuated from the building at the time of the fire and did not sustain any injuries.

On Monday, Dec. 23, 2019, at approximately 9:24 p.m., Edmonton Fire Rescue Services responded to the report of a fire at a hotel in the area of 153 Street and Stony Plain Road. The EPS was called to assist and together with EFRS evacuated 41 citizens from the building. No injuries were reported.

In all three incidents, the fires were deemed suspicious.

Following a thorough investigation, Scott Bell, 37, was arrested by the EPS Arson Unit in Edmonton on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. Bell has since been charged with Arson - disregard for human life (x3) and has been remanded.

EPS Impaired Driving Unit busy protecting the community

08 Jan 2020 20:57:18 UT

The EPS Impaired Driving Unit recently concluded another year of Checkstop operations across the city.

In total, the Impaired Driving Unit conducted 35 Checkstops at various locations across Edmonton in 2019.

“Numbers fluctuate from year to year, although we did see an increase in many areas in 2019 including impaired arrests, provincial license suspensions and number of Approved Screening device tests” says Sgt. Rob Davis, of the EPS Impaired Driving Unit. “These were undertaken following the introduction of Mandatory Alcohol Screening to the EPS Checkstop program in 2019.” Mandatory Alcohol Screening became a tool police officers could use across Canada when the Bill C46 (part 2) came into effect in December 2018.

Mandatory alcohol screening gives police the authority to demand a breath sample from any driver lawfully pulled over. It greatly increases the number of drivers screened for impairment, resulting in more impaired drivers being detected.

“It’s our goal to make Edmonton a safer city, and a majority of the citizens we interacted with following the implementation of Mandatory Alcohol Screening were very happy to see us in their communities supporting them this way,” said Sgt. Davis.

“The message to Edmonton drivers, regardless if you’re a first-time driver or have been driving for many years, is the same: If you’re going to drink or use recreational drugs then don’t drive - have a plan to get home safely.”

“The $20 to $40 cab or uber ride home is absolutely worth the spend. If you drive and you get pulled over at a Checkstop line or by one of our roaming police officers, you’re going to be asked to provide a breath sample.”

The total number of roadside suspensions increased by 104 (an over 50% increase) from 2018 to 2019, the direct result of the mandatory screenings.

A breakdown of Checkstop Operation numbers from 2018 to 2019 is included below. If you suspect a driver is impaired, please contact police to Curb the Danger:

Call 911 if it is safe to do so. Calling 911 in an emergency, or to report an impaired driver, is permitted while driving under the distracted driving law.
Report the location, vehicle description, and licence plate number.
Keep the vehicle in sight, but do not attempt to chase the vehicle or break the law to do so.

For more information on EPS traffic safety and enforcement initiatives, please visit www.edmontonpolice.ca.

2019 Checkstop Totals …. 35 operations Difference from 2018

Impaired Drivers arrested	181	+32
Immediate Roadside Sanction (IRS) suspensions	125	+54
Graduated Drivers Licence (GDL) suspensions	157	+50
24 hours suspensions issued	15	same
Total roadside suspensions	297	+104
Suspended Drivers	32	same
Other Criminal Code Charges	61	-26
Officer/citizen contacts were made	10,527	-201
Approved Screening Device (ASD) tests	10,445	+8225
Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST)	52	+12
Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) evaluations	17	-1

+8225 ASD tests reflects Mandatory Alcohol Screening

2018 Checkstop Totals …. 35 operations

Impaired Drivers arrested	149
Immediate Roadside Sanction (IRS) suspensions	71
Graduated Drivers Licence (GDL) suspensions	107
24 hours suspensions issued	15
Total roadside suspensions	193
Suspended Drivers	32
Other Criminal Code Charges	87
Officer/citizen contacts were made	10,728
Approved Screening Device (ASD) tests	2302
Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST)	40
Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) evaluations	16