Latest news with #Savinkoff
Global News
01-08-2025
- Global News
Alberta RCMP asking public for information on ‘suspect' near Bowden
Alberta RCMP have provided an update on the search for a 'suspect' near Bowden, Alta., that included a large contingent of heavily-armed officers, police canine unit, RCMP helicopter and drone. Shortly before noon on Friday, the RCMP issued an advisory to people living in an area just northwest of the town to 'secure their home.' Motorists were also asked to not pick up any passengers and anyone who saw suspicious activity in the area was asked to report it to police. The RCMP described the police operation by saying officers were working to track down a 'suspect.' View image in full screen A large contingent of officers, a canine unit, a helicopter and a drone unit, were involved in the search for a suspect along a rural road, northwest of the town of Bowden on Friday. Global News Late Friday afternoon, RCMP Cpl. Troy Savinkoff said officers were initially called out to reports of a man attempting to light a fire along a rural road. Story continues below advertisement When they arrived, they located a stolen vehicle and conducted an 'extensive search of the area,' in an attempt to track down a suspect. View image in full screen The RCMP prepare to tow away a vehicle, believed to be stolen, after officers were called to an area northwest of Bowden, Ab. on Friday morning for reports of a man attempting to light a fire along a rural road. Global News RCMP now say the do not believe the suspect poses an immediate risk to the public, but the investigation continues and they will provide any additional updates that may become available. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Savinkoff also confirmed to Global News that the suspect officers are looking for is not an escapee from the nearby Bowden Institution, a medium-security prison operated by Correctional Services Canada. View image in full screen The RCMP confirmed to Global News, late Friday afternoon, that the 'suspect' they were looking for was not an escapee from the Bowden Institution, a medium security prison located nearby. Global News Investigators are asking anyone who sees any suspicious activity in the area between Highway 587 and Township Road 350, from Range Road 12 to Range Road 14, to give the RCMP a call or call 911.
Global News
31-07-2025
- Global News
Violence towards police in Alberta highlighted as Mountie hit, dragged during arrest
Four people are facing charges after a vehicle theft arrest that Alberta RCMP say highlights the increase in violence towards law enforcement. It happened just after midnight on Tuesday, north of Edmonton, where an officer from the Morinville RCMP detachment was trying to conduct a traffic stop on a stolen truck parked at the Shell gas station in Gibbons. Cpl. Troy Savinkoff with the RCMP media relations team said the officer had run the licence plate and the truck came up as stolen out of Woodland County (northwest of Edmonton) a few days prior. When the Mountie went in to arrest the four people in the truck, things went sideways. 'He initially was detaining them and had advised them of that, upon which time the driver attempted to flee by putting the vehicle in reverse,' Savinkoff said in an interview with Global News on Thursday. Story continues below advertisement Body-worn camera video released by RCMP showed how after the officer, standing by the open passenger side door of the truck, asked for the people's IDs and said they were in a stolen vehicle, the driver attempted to drive away. 'This left our officer with not a lot of other choices in this case. He had jumped into the passenger side of the vehicle, reached in and was able to take the vehicle out of drive, take the keys out of it, subsequently stopping the vehicle.' View image in full screen RCMP body-worn camera video shows how an arrest in Gibbons on July 29, 2025 led to an RCMP officer from Morinville having to jump into a moving vehicle and seize the keys from suspects trying to flee in a stolen truck. Alberta RCMP During the struggle, RCMP said the truck was moving and hit a tree. The officer suffered minor injuries, Savinkoff said. The officer then demanded the occupants get out and on the ground, while also radioing for help. 'It became very clear that the driver wasn't really listening to him.' Story continues below advertisement RCMP said the driver was seen pulling a shotgun out from between the seats of the truck. 'Then he kind of went out of view and the officer later determined that the individual had thrown the shotgun into the box of the truck,' Savinkoff said. In the video, the arresting officer can be heard noticing what appeared to be a firearm, which a man is heard denying exists. 'What do you have in your hands? Where'd that thing go?' the officer says to the driver, who sat down on the ground beside the truck and raised his hands, replying with, 'Nothing.' Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Then, the officer looks inside the box of the pickup. 'That's a shotgun, man!' the officer says incredulously before the video ends. View image in full screen RCMP body-worn camera video shows how an arrest in Gibbons on July 29, 2025 led to an RCMP officer from Morinville having to jump into a moving vehicle and seize the keys from suspects trying to flee in a stolen truck. Alberta RCMP Eventually, all four people were arrested and remained behind bars ahead of court dates, which were slated for Thursday. Story continues below advertisement A search of the suspects and the stolen truck led police to finding and seizing small amounts of meth and fentanyl, a false bill of sale, and a sawed-off shot gun and ammunition. The incident on Tuesday is a scenario police in Alberta are facing daily, Savinkoff said. 'With each of these arrests, there are risks. 'These aren't oftentimes people that are willing or wanting to go with police. A lot of times they are dangerous, they're armed, and there's a risk to policing. So while we tout our successes, we also want to be aware that policing is dangerous.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "These aren't oftentimes people that are willing or wanting to go with police. A lot of times they are dangerous, they're armed, and there's a risk to policing. So while we tout our successes, we also want to be aware that policing is dangerous." Stolen vehicles are rarely just stolen for the sake of it, he said. 'Somebody who steals a vehicle, quite often that's not the only crime that they're committing. We see linkages with drugs, with weapons, with break and enters to homes and with stolen vehicles.' 1:59 RCMP bust organized crime vehicle theft ring that exploited Alberta registry loophole RCMP said there's a ripple effect that affects the public. Story continues below advertisement On Wednesday, telecommunications giant Telus said it's experienced an 80-per cent increase in copper theft across Canada in the first half of this year, compared to the first half of 2024. In July alone, the company saw 20 copper thefts in Alberta alone — nine of which occurred in Edmonton. Telus said the traditional copper lines have been the primary target, disrupting wireline voice services, Internet and Optik TV. 'Whether it's stealing copper wire from utilities, which increases your utility costs, stealing your vehicles, breaking into your homes — they're doing lots of different things and stolen vehicles are just one segment to that,' Savinkoff said. Since 2023, instances of assault on police with a weapon or causing bodily harm have increased 23 per cent, said Darcy McGunigal, the detachment commander of the Morinville RCMP. Story continues below advertisement 'While we highlight dropping CSI crime rates and the most recent 18 per cent drop in stolen vehicles compared to last year, don't forget that with each of these arrests there are men and woman on the front lines putting their safety at risk combating these prolific offenders,' McGunigal said in a statement. On average, there are acts of violence towards RCMP in Alberta about 2.2 times a day. It was a statistic shared earlier this week after an alleged armed man was found in the fenced parking lot of the RCMP detachment in Sherwood Park, where a confrontation led to an officer shooting the man. 'When we talk about that number, 2.2, that means every single day, Alberta RCMP are subject to 2.2 acts of violence — whether that's an assault, assault with a weapon,' Savinkoff said. 2:19 Police shooting in gated parking lot at Sherwood Park RCMP detachment Savinkoff said a large number of injuries come from suspects ramming police cruisers in an attempt to get away. Story continues below advertisement 'So while we're out there proactively combating these issues that everybody feels very passionately about, something to keep in mind, it is getting more dangerous out there for our officers.' Four people were arrested and charged in Gibbons. The alleged driver, Ryan Calvin Grant 42, from Onoway, was charged with: • Possession of stolen property over $5,000 • Possession of stolen property under $5,000 • Weapons offences (x4) • Drive a motor vehicle while prohibited(x2) • Assault a police officer with a weapon • Fail to comply with a condition of an undertaking (x4) • Possession of a controlled substance Three other people from the vehicle were also charged. Cassandra Joy Bruno, 34, from Alexander First Nation, is charged with: • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 • Possession of stolen property under $5,000 • Weapon offences (x4) • Possession of a controlled substance • Possession of a forged document Michael James Racicot, 38, of no fixed address, is charged with: • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 • Weapon offences (x4) • Fail to comply with release order (x3) Jo-anna Elaine Nussey, 42, of Minburn Alta. is charged with: • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 • Weapons offences (x4) • Fail to comply with probation order (x2) • Fail to comply with condition of undertaking • Breach of Peace bond Story continues below advertisement Alberta RCMP are expected to share more about violence against officers at an upcoming news conference. The date and time has not yet been released.
Calgary Herald
20-07-2025
- Calgary Herald
Alberta RCMP warns of deadly fake Xanax pills after death of 16-year-old in Edmonton area
Article content Alberta RCMP has issued a province-wide warning about a potentially deadly supply of illegal opiates disguised as the anti-anxiety medication Xanax, after the death of a 16-year-old male in the Edmonton area. Article content The teen's death is under investigation, and while the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will ultimately determine the cause, RCMP said the circumstances surrounding the case prompted the force to act swiftly. Article content Article content Article content 'Some of this substance was located with the deceased,' said Cpl. Troy Savinkoff, acting Alberta RCMP media relations manager. 'It's enough for RCMP to strongly believe that this was a strong potential cause of the death, and it's enough for us to have concern, to want to immediately communicate our concern.' Article content RCMP believe the counterfeit pill involved in the teen's death was obtained in Edmonton, and that the drug 'could very quickly make its way across the province.' Article content According to RCMP, the counterfeit pills mimic the appearance of Xanax but are grey instead of white, and they contain isotonitazene, a highly potent synthetic opioid which Savinkoff noted as 'a great concern' because it's 'very easy to overdose and cause death.' Article content Article content Savinkoff said the public alert was necessary to prevent further harm. Article content Article content 'Parents, relatives, and other community members need to share this information as much as possible, and especially so now that school is out,' he said. Article content Article content The Alberta RCMP is urging the public to avoid taking any medication not prescribed by a licensed pharmacist. Article content 'It's a given that drugs should not be obtained if you don't have a prescription. Drugs are illegal for a reason. They're dangerous,' Savinkoff said. 'And if you don't have a prescription and you don't know where the drug came from, there's always going to be risk.' Article content
Edmonton Journal
19-07-2025
- Edmonton Journal
Alberta RCMP warns of deadly counterfeit pills after death of 16-year-old in Edmonton area
Alberta RCMP has issued a province-wide warning about a potentially deadly supply of illegal opiates disguised as the anti-anxiety medication Xanax, after the death of a 16-year-old male in the Edmonton area. Article content The teen's death is under investigation, and while the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will ultimately determine the cause, RCMP said the circumstances surrounding the case prompted the force to act swiftly. Article content Article content Article content 'Some of this substance was located with the deceased,' said Cpl. Troy Savinkoff, acting Alberta RCMP media relations manager. 'It's enough for RCMP to strongly believe that this was a strong potential cause of the death, and it's enough for us to have concern, to want to immediately communicate our concern.' Article content RCMP believe the counterfeit pill involved in the teen's death was obtained in Edmonton, and that the drug 'could very quickly make its way across the province.' Article content According to RCMP, the counterfeit pills mimic the appearance of Xanax but are grey instead of white, and they contain isotonitazene, a highly potent synthetic opioid which Savinkoff noted as 'a great concern' because it's 'very easy to overdose and cause death.' Article content The pills are rectangular, have the word ONAX stamped on one side, and a vertical '2' on the other. Article content Article content Article content Article content Savinkoff said the public alert was necessary to prevent further harm. Article content Article content 'Parents, relatives, and other community members need to share this information as much as possible, and especially so now that school is out,' he said. Article content Article content The Alberta RCMP is urging the public to avoid taking any medication not prescribed by a licensed pharmacist. Article content 'It's a given that drugs should not be obtained if you don't have a prescription. Drugs are illegal for a reason. They're dangerous,' Savinkoff said. 'And if you don't have a prescription and you don't know where the drug came from, there's always going to be risk.' Article content
Global News
18-07-2025
- Global News
Alberta RCMP issue warning about opioid-laced drugs after teenager's death
Alberta RCMP have issued a warning to parents, children and other members of the public about some potentially deadly counterfeit pills that may be circulating in the province. The pills resemble a commonly used drug to treat anxiety, but may be laced with a potentially fatal dose of opioids. The warning comes following the death of a 16-year-old that police believe may be related to ingestion of the imitation pills. The legal medicine, Xanax, is normally available by prescription. However, investigators have identified replica pills laced with the highly potent opioid isotonitazene. Investigators have also released photos of the counterfeit pills to the public. 'Parents, relatives, and other community members need to share this information as much as possible, and especially so now that school is out,' RCMP public information officer Cpl. Troy Savinkoff said. 'It is important that the public knows the extreme danger that this dangerous replica can pose.' Story continues below advertisement Investigators are working to identify the source of the deadly drugs and stop their distribution. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy In the meantime, Savinkoff said it is important that members of the community see the photos of the drugs, share them with their kids, friends and relatives and 'let them know that these pills could kill them.' The RCMP have released photos of the counterfeit drugs in an attempt to inform the public about 'the extreme danger' they pose. Alberta RCMP The pills are described as grey, rectangular, and stamped with the letters ONAX on one side and the number '2' on the other. Savinkoff said prescriptions should only be purchased from a reputable, licensed pharmacist. On Monday the Edmonton police also issued a warning about counterfeit Xanax pills, following a seizure in June of similar pills laced with the same highly potent opioid isotonitazene. The street value of those drugs was estimated at nearly $5,000. Story continues below advertisement On Monday, Edmonton Police also issued a warning about fake pills made to look like the anti-anxiety drug Xanax but contain a potentially deadly dose of the opioid isotonitazene. Edmonton Police Service The RCMP is asking anyone with information about the counterfeit drugs to call their local police department or the RCMP at 310-7267 (RCMP).
