Media Releases

Church deacon charged with sexual assault

11 Feb 2026 22:15:00 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) has charged a 48-year-old male with sexual assault and sexual interference in relation to a November 2025 incident.

At the time of the incident, the male was a deacon at a church near 121 Avenue and 103 Street.

Frezghi Zerezghi, 48, was arrested on Dec. 12, 2025, and charged with sexual assault and sexual interference. Zerezghi was released on an undertaking.

Frezghi Zerezghi, 48

Police have reason to believe he may have offended against other victims and are encouraging them to come forward.

Autopsy complete in death at fire scene

10 Feb 2026 22:59:29 UT

The death of a woman found inside a residence that caught fire has been deemed a homicide.

The Edmonton Medical Examiner performed an autopsy today, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026 and determined the deceased female found in a residential fire yesterday morning died as a result of homicide. The female was confirmed to be an adult, but has not yet been identified. The cause of death is being withheld at this time for investigative reasons.

EPS Homicide Section detectives continue to investigate.

Anyone with information about the woman’s death 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 investigating suspicious death at fire scene

09 Feb 2026 23:22:09 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is investigating after a body was found inside a residence that caught fire.

At approximately 5:30 a.m. today, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, Edmonton Fire Rescue Services (EFRS) responded to a residential fire in the area of 93 Street and 105 Avenue. During their fire investigation, EFRS located a deceased female inside the residence and contacted police.

The investigation has since been turned over to the EPS Homicide Section. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026.

Anyone with information about this suspicious death 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.

Missing youth located

09 Feb 2026 00:59:03 UT

The 13-year-old girl reported missing earlier this evening has been located safe.

Thank you to the media and the public for your assistance.

Missing woman found safe

05 Feb 2026 21:53:51 UT

UPDATE: Feb. 6, 2026: The 65-year-old woman who was reported missing by the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) on Feb. 5, 2026, has been found safe. The EPS thanks the public and the media for their assistance.

Cocaine, contraband cigarettes seized in search warrant

04 Feb 2026 17:00:00 UT

Edmonton Police Service (EPS) officers have charged a 50-year-old man following the seizure of illegal drugs and contraband cigarettes.

On Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, EPS Northwest patrol officers executed a search warrant at a residence in the Evansdale neighbourhood in northeast Edmonton following a drug trafficking investigation. During the search, officers located 2.2 kg of cocaine, 13 kg of phenacetin (buffing agent), 4,200 cartons of contraband cigarettes and more than $126,000 in cash.

Drugs seized

Contraband cigarettes seized

Yurk Kee Wong, 50, was arrested during the search warrant and is now facing a total of eight charges, including four drug trafficking related charges under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, three charges related to the sale of unstamped tobacco and one count of possession of proceeds of crime.

“Often, contraband cigarettes are part of much larger and more harmful criminal activity, including organized crime and drug trafficking,” says Cst. Joshua Hughes, with Northwest Patrol. “In this case, we were able to disrupt an illegal drug operation and lay a number of charges related to cocaine trafficking.”

Operation Cold Start: Do not leave your vehicle idling unattended

03 Feb 2026 21:18:54 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is reminding drivers to not leave vehicles running and unattended as part of Operation Cold Start, an annual winter crime-prevention initiative aimed at reducing vehicle theft.

Each winter, the EPS sees an increase in thefts linked to vehicles left idling to warm up, often with the keys left inside. This is a preventable crime of opportunity.

“We understand people are busy and cold, and it feels harmless to leave a vehicle running while you go back into your home, or grab a coffee, or run into a store,” said Staff Sergeant Travis Kerr with the EPS Targeted Response to Auto-Theft Prevention (TRAP) team. “Unfortunately, that’s exactly when these thefts happen. They’re crimes of opportunity that take seconds, not minutes, and many of them are completely preventable.”

The EPS TRAP team is a specialized unit within the EPS focused specifically on combating vehicle theft and related crimes in Edmonton.

This past year, the team has seen a slight decrease in the theft and recovery of stolen vehicles in the city. There were 4,233 vehicle thefts and 1,466 recovered stolen vehicles in 2025 compared to 4,814 vehicle theft and 1,675 recovered stolen vehicles in 2024.

With that in mind, EPS is sharing safety tips to help Edmontonians keep their vehicles safe.

How to protect your vehicle this winter:

Never leave your vehicle running and unattended, even in your driveway.
Take your keys with you and always lock your vehicle.
Use a remote starter, if available
Park in well-lit areas whenever possible.
Ensure windows and doors are closed and locked.

“Your vehicle can be one of the largest purchases you make, so protecting it is important,” said Staff Sgt. Kerr. “Stolen vehicles are often used in other crimes and can pose a safety risk to the public, not to mention the stress and inconvenience of losing your vehicle.”

Operation Cold Start runs throughout the winter months and focuses on education, awareness, and prevention to help curb vehicle theft in the city.

Learn more about how you can protect yourself from auto theft by visiting: https://www.edmontonpolice.ca/CrimePrevention/HomePropertySafety/AutoTheft

Former Army Cadet instructor charged with sexual assault

02 Feb 2026 22:00:00 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) has charged a 37-year-old former cadet instructor with sexual assault in relation to several historical incidents.

It was reported to police that between 2009 and 2016, three teenage male cadets were sexually assaulted on separate occasions by their adult male cadet instructor.

On Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, Charles Bernatchez, 37, was arrested and charged with sexual assault (x2), sexual assault with a weapon (x2), sexual interference (x2), sexual exploitation (x3) and invitation to sexual touching.

Charles Bernatchez, 37

On Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, Bernatchez was released on a promise to pay with conditions. These conditions include:

No contact with complainants
Remain in Alberta
Shall not have any contact with anyone under the age of 18, except incidental contact necessary to engage in everyday transactions, such as at fast food restaurants, etc.
Shall not have or seek employment or a volunteer position in which he would supervise or be in a position of trust or authority over anyone under the age of 18.

Bernatchez has reportedly been a civilian instructor with the Canadian Armed Forces Cadet program at various times since 2006. Investigators believe there may be other individuals who have not yet come forward and are encouraging anyone with information to contact police.

Anyone who believes they or their child may have been victimized by the accused is asked to contact the Edmonton Police Service at 780-423-4567or #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 Warning: Aggravated assault suspect wanted on warrants

30 Jan 2026 20:30:00 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is warning the public about a man wanted in connection to an aggravated assault.

In the early hours of Jan. 30, 2026, police received a call about an aggravated assault at a home in the Mill Woods area involving two people known to each other. The complainant, a woman in her 30s was taken to the hospital with significant injuries where she remains. There is no update on her condition

The suspect, Nicholas Travis Morin, 29, left the scene in a stolen red 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander, Alberta licence plate CDV 9754. He is wanted on multiple outstanding warrants, including aggravated assault.

Image of Nicholas Morin, 29

Profile image of Nicholas Morin, 29

Stock image of 2018 red Mitsubishi Outlander

Nicholas Travis Morin, 29, is 5’9” tall, 240 lbs., with brown eyes and black hair. He has multiple tattoos including a rose above his right eyebrow.

It’s believed Morin is either in Edmonton or surrounding communities. He is considered dangerous and should not be approached.

Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is advised to immediately call 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 assistance location missing woman

29 Jan 2026 16:21:26 UT

The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is seeking the public's assistance in locating a missing 34-year-old woman.

Bobbie Steinhauer, 34, was reported missing to EPS in October of 2025 and police issued a news release on November 7, 2025. To date, efforts to locate Bobbie have been unsuccessful.

Police are concerned about Bobbie’s well-being and believe there is a chance that she may have succumbed to the cold climate. At the time of her disappearance, Bobbie was not connected with shelter services and is believed to have been staying outdoors in the community. Police are asking anyone with information about where Bobbie may have been spending her nights to come forward.

Most recent images of Bobbie Steinhauer

Bobbie’s mouth typically rests open as depicted in the attached photos. She also displays involuntary movements of her head, which repetitively tilts upwards and to the left. Bobbie is 5'5" inches tall, very thin, and has short brown hair.

Bobbie had also recently developed a large bald spot on the right side of her scalp. She was last seen wearing a bright orange zip-up hoodie

Anyone with information about Bobbie Steinhauer’s whereabouts is asked to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone.