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Thorsby/Breton – RCMP Major Crimes North Lay Charges in Fatal Pedestrian Hit & Run

Published

4 years ago

6 minute read

Thorsby, Alberta – The RCMP Major Crimes Unit have made an arrest and laid charges against 27-year-old Mitchell Robert Sydlowski of Spruce Grove in the death of Ki Yun Jo.

On October 6, 2017 a hit and run occurred at the Fas Gas service station resulting in the death of 54-year-old Ki Yun Jo. A stolen white cube van was seen to flee the Fas Gas after not paying for gas.  The owner of the service station, Ki Yun Jo, made efforts to stop the van and was fatally injured when he was struck by the van.

The RCMP Major Crimes Unit (North) took carriage of this investigation and have been diligently investigating, including following up on all possible leads.  This incident was witnessed by several people and impacted the community.  On May 25, Sydlowski was arrested by the RCMP at the Edmonton Remand Centre.  He has been charged with: Second degree murder, fail to remain at the scene of an accident causing death, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and theft under $5,000. A bail hearing was held on May 26 and the matter has been set over to Tuesday, May 29 at the Provincial court in Wetaskiwin.

“An investigation into a homicide remains active until it’s solved” says Sergeant Bryce Long of the RCMP Major Crimes Unit.  “Our team has worked hard on this investigation, and seeing these charges laid brings a great sense of closure not only to the Major Crimes Unit, but to the community at large and particularly the family of Ki Yun Jo.”

 

Background:

 

UPDATE #4

October 16, 2017

Thorsby/Breton RCMP locate suspect cube van involved in fatal pedestrian hit & run

Thorsby, Alberta – The stolen white Ford cube van, involved in a fatal pedestrian hit & run in Thorsby, has been located by the RCMP, abandoned, in a rural area southwest of Devon.  The van was recovered near Range Road 275 and Township Road 502.

The RCMP Edmonton Major Crimes Unit continue to solicit tips from anyone who may have noted someone suspicious in that area on October 6, 2017.  Any piece of information may become valuable in assisting to identify the suspect and solve this investigation.

 

October 8, 2017

*Update 3* – Thorsby/Bretton RCMP Investigate Fatal Pedestrian Hit and Run

Thorsby, Alberta – The RCMP continue to investigate the fatal hit and run collision occurring on October 6, 2017 at a Fas Gas service station in Thorsby, Alberta.  Extensive efforts have been made to locate the white 2006 Ford cube van; however, the suspect vehicle has yet to be located.

Mr. Ki Yun Jo has been identified as the victim in this incident.  The 54 year old was the owner/operator of the service station.  Investigators and family are reaching out to the public for information which may help identify suspects or locate the suspect vehicle.

The suspect vehicle in this case was stolen from Spruce Grove on October 6, 2017 at approximately 2:00 p.m. before driving to Thorsby.  If anyone observed the suspect vehicle in Spruce Grove during this time they are encouraged to please call the Thorsby/Breton RCMP at (780)789-3951.

 

October 6, 2017

*Update 2* Thorsby/Breton RCMP Investigate Fatal Pedestrian Hit and Run

Thorsby, Alberta – Investigators are releasing a photograph of a suspect vehicle believed to have been involved in a fatal hit and run in Thorsby earlier today.

The suspect vehicle is described as being a medium sized white commercial vehicle cube van with unique decaling on the side.  The vehicle is believed to have been stolen.

If you have information about this incident or vehicle, please call the Thorsby/Breton RCMP at (780)789-3951.

 

October 6, 2017

*Update 1* Thorsby/Breton RCMP Investigate Fatal Pedestrian Hit and Run

Thorsby, Alberta – The Next of Kin of the victim have been notified and more information may now be shared.

At 3:45 p.m., a medium sized commercial vehicle failed to pay for its gas at the Fas Gas service station in Thorsby.  As the vehicle drove away an employee of the gas station attempted to stop or gain the attention of the driver.  The employee was subsequently struck by the vehicle and the vehicle fled the scene.

The 54 year old victim succumbed to his injuries on scene.

Efforts to locate the suspect vehicle are underway.  Further information regarding the vehicle will be released once confirmed.

 

October 6, 2017

Thorsby/Breton RCMP Investigate Fatal Pedestrian Hit and

Thorsby, Alberta – The Thorsby/Breton RCMP are currently on scene of a fatal hit and run collision involving a pedestrian.  The collision occurred at approximately 3:45 P.M. near the Thorsby Fas Gas.  A medium sized commercial vehicle was seen leaving the collision and has yet to be located.

The next of kin has not been notified and investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision continues.

Details regarding the suspect vehicle will be forthcoming as soon as details are known.

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‘Ludicrous’: Prosecutor questions testimony of teen in Calgary hit-and-run cop death

Published on September 28, 2022

By

By Bill Graveland in Calgary

A prosecutor suggested Wednesday a teen charged with first-degree murder in the hit-and-run death of a Calgary Police Service officer had no reason to believe he was in danger.

Sgt. Andrew Harnett died in hospital on Dec. 31, 2020, after being dragged by a fleeing SUV and falling into the path of an oncoming car.

The alleged driver, who cannot be identified because he was 17 at the time, has testified he was scared when Harnett and another officer approached the vehicle during a traffic stop and he saw Harnett put his hand on his gun.

But during cross-examination, Crown prosecutor Mike Ewenson played the body-camera footage of the stop. He asked the accused, who is now 19, if there was any proof Harnett was being threatening or insulting during the routine traffic stop.

“You brought up George Floyd in your direct examination. Do you remember what happened to George Floyd?” Ewenson asked.

The accused replied: “He got pulled out of the vehicle and I think they stepped on his neck … and he said he couldn’t breathe.”

Floyd was a Black man who was killed during an arrest by Minnesota police on May 25, 2020.

During testimony Tuesday, the teen testified he and his friends had discussed the Floyd case on social media.

“Let’s talk about what we just saw with Sgt. Harnett if we could, because you’re bringing this up at a trial that involves his death,” said Ewenson. “Any abusive language from him?”

“No,” the teen replied.

“Anything that was insulting to your age, your race, your ethnic background or religion,” Ewenson asked.

“Not necessarily, no. Actually, I felt like I was being racialized, right? Just the fact that the door opened and the fact that he asked for my phone number. I’ve never been asked for my phone number.”

Ewenson said any talk of the traffic stop being racist was just something the teen wanted the court to “take his word for” and there’s nothing that would be considered racist from Harnett’s behaviour.

“That’s how I felt,” the accused replied.

The teen repeatedly told Ewenson that he wasn’t sure how he ended up in the neighbourhood. He said he was following his GPS to get to a party. He also said he didn’t know who the third person in the back seat of the vehicle was, who had come with a friend.

Ewenson said it’s unlikely there would be memory lapses after an event that was the “most traumatic, powerful” and “consequential” night of the teen’s life.

“So looking back on it, you realize the story is ludicrous? The story doesn’t make sense, does it?” Ewenson asked. “Everything for you is a mindless reaction.”

The suspect said at the time he panicked and just decided to take off because he was afraid. The teen said looking back, he wishes his decision had been different.

“Look, to be frank to you, I’ve sat for two years in jail and I’ve thought about this over and over and over again,” he said. “It’s different when I think about it now and what I was going through at the moment.”

Ewenson suggested it was more likely something illegal was inside the suspect vehicle that made fleeing a simple traffic stop worth the risk.

Closing arguments in the trial are scheduled for Thursday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 28, 2022.

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Alberta

Incredible luxury homes and vehicles seized in massive international $55 million drug bust with Alberta roots

Published on September 28, 2022

By

Niagara-On-The-Lake home seized by police in Project Cobra operation

News release from the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT)

Project Cobra intercepts $55 million worth of drugs

More than an estimated $55 million worth of methamphetamine and cocaine has been seized following a cross-border investigation by ALERT, RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Project Cobra is a nearly three-year organized crime investigation into transnational drug importation, drug trafficking, and money laundering.

Halifax County home seized by police in Project Cobra operation

As the result of enforcement initiatives on both sides of the border, 928 kilograms of methamphetamine and 6 kilograms of cocaine were intercepted. In addition, approximately $7 million worth of assets have been seized or placed under criminal restraint.

Project Cobra relied on the assistance of a number of police agencies and specialized units, including: Calgary Police Service, Edmonton Police Service, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Niagara Regional Police, Canada Revenue Agency, Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), and RCMP units in Ontario, Nova Scotia, Saskatoon, North Battleford, Sask., and Osoyoos, B.C.

Lamborghinis and Porsche seized by police in Project Cobra operation

Mercedes-Benz seized by police in Project Cobra operation

Police agencies collaborated to make numerous large-scale drug seizures during the course of Project Cobra. These were shipments destined for Alberta, and included the following seizures:

  • 342 kg of meth in Wyoming;
  • 308 kg of meth in Los Angeles;
  • 137 kg of meth in Calgary;
  • 84 kg of meth in Los Angeles;
  • 50 kg of meth at Lake Koocanusa, B.C.;
  • 7 kg of meth and 1 kg of cocaine in Calgary; and
  • 5 kg of cocaine in North Battleford, Sask.


Nineteen firearms were also seized, which included handguns, rifles, submachine guns, and suppressors.

Seven million dollars’ worth of property, bank accounts, luxury vehicles, and other suspected proceeds of crime has been seized or placed under criminal restraint. This includes a $3.5 million home in Niagara-on-the-Lake, two Lamborghinis, a Porsche, classic cars, and $200,000 cash.

Project Cobra began in 2020 and a series of 11 coordinated search warrants were executed in December 2021. Homes, vehicles, businesses, and storage locations were searched in Calgary, Bedford, Nova Scotia, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., and Leduc County, Alta.

Fifteen people and one business have been charged with 80 criminal offences ranging from participation in a criminal organization, to importation of a controlled substance, to laundering proceeds of crime, to drug trafficking.

The suspects were arrested and charged between May 2022 and August 2022:

  • Elias Ade, 38-year -old from Calgary, charged with 12 offences;
  • Abdul Akbar, 37-year-old from Calgary, charged with 8 offences;
  • Tianna Bull, 25-year-old from North Battleford, charged with 1 offence;
  • Lina El-Chammoury, 50-year-old from Calgary, charged with 2 offences;
  • Russell Ens, 39-year-old from North Battleford, charged with 2 offences;
  • Talal Fouani, 46-year-old from Calgary, charged with 3 offences;
  • Belal Fouani, 44-year-old from Calgary, charged with 3 offences;
  • Kari-Lynn Grant, 51-year-old from Calgary, charged with 4 offences;
  • Scott Hunt, 33-year-old from Calgary, charged with 3 offences;
  • Ricco King, 50-year-old from Bedford, N.S., charged with 5 offences;
  • Jarett Mackenzie, 32-year-old from Calgary, charged with 6 offences;
  • Jesse Marshall, 52-year-old from Calgary, charged with 4 offences;
  • Daniel Menzul, 32-year-old from Calgary, charged with 4 offences;
  • Sean Nesbitt, 44-year-old from Calgary, charged with 3 offences;
  • William Whiteford, 39-year-old from Leduc County, charged with 20 offences; and
  • Fouani Equity Funds Ltd. charged with 1 offence.

Fouani Equity Funds Ltd. is a Calgary-based investment company and was charged with laundering proceeds for an organized crime group.

Members of the public who suspect drug or gang activity in their community can call local police, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers is always anonymous.

ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime.

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