RCMP briefs from around the province
A manslaughter charge was laid by Edson RCMP after a man overdosed on carfentanyl.
On Oct. 21, 2016, RCMP responded to a sudden death of 48-year-old Guy Kennedy at an Edson hotel. Police believed the man had overdosed on fentanyl, and found several tablets in the room and powder residue.
The tablets were later confirmed to be counterfeit oxycontin and contained carfentanyl. On March 23, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Edmonton determined the deceased had died as a result of a carfentanil overdose.
Police proceeded to identify who the deceased obtained the tablets from, and on Sept. 22, 32year-old Shawn Taras Prokopchuk of Calgary was arrested and charged with trafficking carfentanil, and manslaughter.
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Jasper
RCMP are investigating an attempted youth abduction that occurred Sept. 26.
Police report that at approximately 7:35 a.m., a female student on her way to school was approached by a Caucasian man driving a dark red van near Patricia Street and Willow Avenue in Jasper.
The man asked for directions to a local restaurant and offered the youth a ride to school. When the girl declined the offer, it is alleged the male then attempted to reach toward her out the passenger window. The girl was able to back away and distance herself. The van drove away but then turned around and approached the area again. The girl hid behind a parked car and called her parents for assistance. The girl did not observe the suspect or vehicle again after it passed and was not harmed.
Police were contacted a short time later and initiated an investigation, while the school division sent out communication to parents about the incident.
The suspect is described as Caucasian male, 60-70 years old with short curly white hair, a thick white goatee, who spoke with a slight accent. The van is described as a dark red older mini-van, grey/silver stripe running down length of vehicle, and a black roof rack.
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Smoky Lake
A tip from the public led to Smoky Lake RCMP uncovering a marijuana grow-op in the forest. Police responded to the tip on Sept. 21, with the operation located near the North Saskatchewan River southeast of Smoky Lake. A path led to a secluded area in the woods, where police found 40 marijuana plants and 164 planting plots. The scene was secured, and plants seized for destruction. ———
Innisfail
Using spike belts, Innisfail RCMP arrested two people after observing a suspicious truck on Sept. 25.
Patrol members observed the truck near a local business with no tail lights on, and when they attempted to pull the vehicle over it fled from police at a high rate of speed. No pursuit was initiated, however a tire deflation device was deployed and successfully disabled the vehicle. The vehicle continued to drive away though, with flattened tires, eventually coming to a stop.
Police arrested the driver and passenger without further incident, and the vehicle was confirmed stolen by police. Jonah Scott Hamilton, age 23, was charged wtih two counts of possessing stolen property over $5,000, possessing a stolen passport, possessing a controlled substance, failing to stop for police, dangerous driving, operating a motor vehicle without drivers licence, and driving an uninsured motor vehicle.
Morning side Crow child Anderson ,18, was charged with two counts of possessing stolen property over $5,000, possessing a stolen passport, and possessing a controlled substance.