Policing in Alberta, October 18, 2013

RCMP press releases

• High Prairie RCMP asking for public's assistance in locating 15-year-old girl
• RCMP seek public's assistance to find missing Fort McMurray man
• Robbery at Timberlea Liquor Depot
• Suspect and Vehicle Identified in Airdrie Break and Enters 
• No leads on August St. Albert Hit and Run
• Grain auger stolen in Vegreville

• Home renovator wanted on outstanding warrant

High Prairie RCMP asking for public's assistance in locating 15-year-old girl

Dominic Bloxom was last seen on October 9, 2013, in High Prairie in the presence of two male acquaintances, stating that she was planning to go out.  Bloxom has failed to return and has since been reported missing.

Missing: Dominic Bloxom

She is described as:

• 5'0" tall
• approximately 130 lbs
• dark hair with red streaks
• wearing black legging-styled pants

RCMP officers believe Bloxom may be in the Edmonton area.  She also has relatives from the Beaver First Nation near Fort Vermillion, Alberta and may be in that area as well.

Anyone with information about Bloxom's whereabouts are being asked to contact the High Prairie RCMP Detachment at 780-523-3378 or their local police services.

Information in relation to the incident can also be forwarded anonymously to CRIME STOPPERS via:

1) 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS)
2) CRIME STOPPERS web site at www.crimestoppers.ab.ca <http://www.crimestoppers.ab.ca/
3) By text messaging, in northern Alberta it is TIP205. Tipster texts their message to CRIMES (274637)

Information leading to an arrest, the clearing of a criminal case, the seizure of narcotics or the recovery of stolen property could lead to a reward.

RCMP seek public's assistance to find missing Fort McMurray man

The Wood Buffalo RCMP has entered into a missing person investigation and is asking the public for assistance in locating a 37 year old Fort McMurray man. Million Reshide was reported missing by concerned friends and was last seen on Friday, October 11.

Reshide is dark skinned, 5’5”, weighs 145 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Reshide may be driving a City Cab, vehicle #28. The vehicle is a 2006 Dodge Caravan, light blue in colour with Alberta licence plate H25090.

Missing: Million Reshide

Anyone with information on Reshide’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Wood Buffalo Detachment immediately.

If you have information about this, or any other investigation(s), please call the Wood Buffalo RCMP at (780) 788-4000, or if you want to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1.800.222.8477 (TIPS), by internet at www.tipsubmit.com, or by SMS (check your local Crime Stoppers [www.crimestoppers.ab.ca] for instructions on how to do).  You do not have to reveal your identity to Crime Stoppers, and if you provide information to Crime Stoppers that leads to an arrest(s), the recovery of stolen property, and/or a seizure of illicit drugs, you may be eligible for a cash reward.

Robbery at Timberlea Liquor Depot

On October 16, 2013 at approximately 10:40 a.m. Wood Buffalo RCMP responded to a complaint of an armed robbery at the Liquor Depot located in Timberlea.

It was reported that a male entered the Liquor Depot, grabbed a bottle of liquor and continued to walk around the store for about 3 to 4 minutes. The male then proceeded to the till where he produced a knife and demanded the money from the till. The suspect fled the store with an undisclosed sum of money. No one was injured during the incident.

Robbery suspect

The suspect is described as a Caucasian male, in his late 20’s or early 30’s, approximately 6’0” tall, weighing 200 pounds and had facial stubble. At the time of the offence the male was wearing a black trench coat, with the hood up, a black baseball cap, black gloves, jeans, running shoes and black sport sun glasses.

The investigation continues and police are asking anyone with information to contact the Wood Buffalo RCMP Detachment.

If you have information about this, or any other investigation(s), please call the Wood Buffalo RCMP at (780) 788-4000, or if you want to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1.800.222.8477 (TIPS), by internet at www.tipsubmit.com, or by SMS (check your local Crime Stoppers [www.crimestoppers.ab.ca] for instructions on how to do).  You do not have to reveal your identity to Crime Stoppers, and if you provide information to Crime Stoppers that leads to an arrest(s), the recovery of stolen property, and/or a seizure of illicit drugs, you may be eligible for a cash reward.

Suspect and Vehicle Identified in Airdrie Break and Enters  

In addition to the media release dated October 16, 2013, which detailed events from recent break and enters as well as car prowling, Airdrie RCMP have now identified a suspect male and vehicle tied to the occurrences. At approximately 4:00 am this morning, Airdrie RCMP responded to a call of a suspicious male in a residence driveway. This male left the area quickly in a White older model GMC Jimmy or Blazer.

A photograph of the suspect was also obtained from Wednesday morning (October 16, 2013) and is below.

Break and Enter suspect

Police are asking for assistance in solving this crime and identifying this suspect(s). If you have any information on this incident please contact the Airdrie RCMP at (403) 945-7200 or Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 222-8477.

No leads on August St. Albert Hit and Run

On August 14, 2013, a 2013 Dodge Ram Pick up truck was hit and damaged while it was parked in the St. Albert Walmart parking lot between noon and 1:00 p.m.  Attempts to locate witnesses or find the suspect have not been successful.

St. Albert RCMP is looking for your help on this crime.  If you have any information about this or any crime, call the St. Albert RCMP at 780 - 458 - 7700, or if you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers.  At Crime Stoppers, you do not need to reveal your identity.  Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to Call Display, Call Trace or tape any phone calls.  If your information leads to an arrest, you qualify for a cash award up to $2,000.00.  We want your tip, not your name.  Call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

Grain auger stolen in Vegreville

Vegreville RCMP are requesting public assistance in locating a brand new Brandt swing away grain auger stolen from Webb's Machinery in Vegreville sometime between September 9th, 2013 and October 4th, 2013. This grain auger is valued at $23,000.

Anyone who may have witnessed this theft or has information regarding the whereabouts of this equipment is asked to contact Vegreville RCMP 780-632-2223 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Home renovator wanted on outstanding warrant

Alberta homeowners are warned that Chris Wright may be operating as a contractor in the province despite facing 22 charges.

Wright is wanted on an outstanding warrant for Fair Trading Act charges in Edmonton from September 2012. On October 1, 2013, Service Alberta laid additional charges against Wright in Medicine Hat.

“Alberta has strict rules for contractors who take money upfront, but there are still some who choose to operate outside the law. This government has put a plan in place to protect Alberta homeowners, with new administrative penalties, higher court fines and undercover sting operations that deter and penalize unlicensed prepaid contractors.” - Manmeet S. Bhullar, Minister of Service Alberta

Wright has used several company names including First Choice Sunrooms Ltd., Lamont Sunrooms and Exteriors, Canadian National Sunrooms and Solariums, and 1693020 Alberta Ltd. He typically targets elderly homeowners with promises to build a sunroom by a specified date. Consumers allege that the work is not completed.

Service Alberta charged Wright under the Fair Trading Act on September 26, 2012 after investigating a complaint from an 85-year-old woman who paid $26,680 for home renovation work. The consumer exercised her cancellation rights under Alberta legislation, but only received $8,000 back. Investigators were unable to find Wright to serve him with a court summons and obtained an arrest warrant.

Between October 2012 and May 2013, three Medicine Hat homeowners paid Wright $46,500 in advance for home renovation work. Following an investigation, Service Alberta charged Wright under the Criminal Code with three counts of fraud over $5,000 and three counts of theft over $5,000.

In addition to the Criminal Code counts, Wright faces 16 charges under the Fair Trading Act from Edmonton and Medicine Hat:

• four counts of operating without a prepaid contractor’s licence;
• four counts of failing to provide a refund after a consumer cancels a contract;
• four counts of using a contract that does not meet legislated requirements;
• three counts of misrepresenting his ability to supply goods or services; and
• one count of misleading or deceiving a consumer.

Wright was previously convicted in Calgary provincial court on March 23, 2007 of five Fair Trading Act counts of operating without a prepaid contractor licence. He received credit for four months served in jail awaiting trial, and was given a suspended sentence and 18 months’ probation with the condition that he not enter into any service contracts in Alberta.

Anyone with knowledge about the whereabouts of Wright is asked to contact the Medicine Hat Police Service at 403-529-8481.

Consumers who paid Wright before their project was completed are asked to contact Bill Ramage, senior investigator, Service Alberta, in Medicine Hat at 403-529-3123.

Dealing with Prepaid Contractors

Contractors who take payment before the work is complete and who look for work, discuss or finalize a contract away from a regular place of business must be licensed by Service Alberta and post a security. They must use a contract that includes an itemized price list, completion date and a statement of consumers’ cancellation rights.

Consumers can cancel within 10 days of receiving a prepaid contract, and up to one year if the prepaid contractor is not licensed or is using a contract that does not meet legislated requirements. The business must provide a refund within 15 days of cancellation.