RCMP briefs from around the province

Carstairs

Voyeurism charges have been laid against a Carstairs massage therapist who allegedly video recorded female clients.

The investigation began on Oct. 30, when Didsbury RCMP were contacted by a computer IT repair technical who reported he had been contracted to repair a laptop. While making the repair, the technician discovered video files that concerned him. The technician provided the computer in question to police and an investigation was launched.

Mark Henning Oliver Blessman was charged with two counts of voyeurism, and has been released from custody. The Massage Therapist Association of Alberta has been notified of the allegations and has suspended Mark Blessman’s license to practice.

On Nov. 2, RCMP served a search warrant on a Carstairs residence where the accused operated a massage therapy clinic named Blessman’s Day Spa.

At this time, investigators believe that video recordings of female clients were made without the knowledge or consent of the client. Specialized investigators from the RCMP Tech Crimes unit will continue to analyze the computer files and clinic records to identify those clients who were victimized. Investigators will be in contact with any identified victims. Additional charges may be laid as the investigation unfolds.

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Wetaskiwin

Police are investigating two armed robberies that occurred one day apart in Wetaskiwin and Devon. RCMP say that just before 2 a.m. on Nov. 1, they responded to an armed robbery at Barney’s Pub and Grill. Two men, one armed with a gun, entered the bar and demanded money from the staff. One male was carrying a duffel bag, and cash was put into the bag, while the other male appeared to keep watch. No one was injured during this robbery, and no shots were fired.

Then on Nov. 2, two male suspects entered the Devon Hotel bar wearing masks with one carrying a shotgun, firing a round from the shotgun at the floor to get the patrons’ attention. Pellets from the shotgun injured two of the patrons who were taken to an Edmonton hospital for treatment of non lifethreatening injuries. There were four other people present, including a staff member, who were not injured.

One suspect took an undisclosed amount of cash from the bar and both suspects fled on foot.

In both cases, police were unable to locate the suspects. ———

Okotoks

Okotoks RCMP have laid charges in relation to an incident on October 26 that resulted in two police vehicles being rammed by a stolen truck in a Walmart parking lot.

On Oct. 26 at 5:53 pm, Okotoks RCMP were dispatched to a report of an erratic driver in the Walmart parking lot. Officers attended and located the suspect vehicle. The suspect vehicle rammed both RCMP patrol cars, and fled the scene. No injuries were sustained during the events. A warrant has been issued for 34-year-old Cameron David Randall.

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Viking

RCMP are investigating a fatal collision between a train and vehicle on Nov. 1 around 1 p.m., at the intersection of Highway 36 and Highway 14, at the Town of Viking.

Police report that the minivan as travelling southbound on Highway 36 when it crossed into the path of a westbound train. The lone occupant of the minivan, a 49 year old male from Viking, was transported to local hospital but was pronounced deceased shortly afterwards. All lights and crossing arms were activated in the roadway at the time of the collision. Police continue to investigate this matter, however speed and alcohol are not considered factors at this time.

S-Sgt. Sean Maxwell of the Redcliff RCMP gave his quarterly briefing to Cypress County council Tuesday. The picture Maxwell painted was a grim one.

Property crimes have risen nearly 100 per cent since the last quarterly report in April. Through the end of September, 93 separate incidents were investigated.

Maxwell stressed the need for county residents to be more proactive calling in