At 12:36 a.m. on June 5, the Airdrie RCMP responded to a residential fire located on Luxstone Link, S.W.
As Airdrie Fire Department and RCMP officers arrived on scene, witnesses were attempting to extinguish the fire with garden hoses. Fire crews were able to effectively contain the fire to the interior of the home, specifically to the basement area.
“Fire investigators determined that the fire originated in a room in the basement and the fire has been deemed to be non-suspicious in nature,” said Cst. Robert Frizzell.
“The property was unoccupied at the time of the fire and no one was injured in the course of responding to this incident. The home sustained extensive smoke and heat damage to the interior; the exact estimated damage is unknown at this time.”
Airdrie & District Victim Assistance Society is giving support to the owner.
On June 5 at 2:50 a.m., a member of the Airdrie Integrated Traffic Unit intercepted a brown Pontiac Grand Prix travelling at 175 km/h northbound on Highway 2 between Calgary and Airdrie.
After stopping the vehicle for speeding, the officer noted signs that the driver was impaired by alcohol. The driver was arrested, and it was determined that he was on release awaiting resolution on similar charges and was also wanted on numerous warrants from Calgary.
“When you consider that impaired driving and speed are two of the four primary causes of fatal and serious injury collisions in Alberta, and that impaired driving is the leading criminal cause of death in Canada, it is certainly fortunate that this individual was intercepted by an alert officer before he caused any harm to himself or a member of the public,” said Sheriff Jason Graw.
“Added to the alcohol and speed, we have a individual whose driver’s licence is suspended and who is wanted on numerous warrants for related offences. Certainly, this is an individual that we are pleased to have removed from the roadway.”
As a result of this traffic stop, Michael Justin Ong, 23, of Calgary has been charged with impaired driving, dangerous driving, five counts of breaching of recognizance, driving while unauthorized, speeding and failing to provide required information to peace officer.
Ong was also arrested on 11 outstanding warrants out of Calgary in relation to previous unresolved charges.
On June 4 at 1:12 a.m., an Airdrie Integrated Traffic Unit officer saw two vehicles engaging in a street race on southbound 8th Street near Yankee Valley Boulevard. The officer said speeds reached more than 132 km/h in the posted 60 km/h zone.
When the officer conducted a traffic stop on one of the vehicles, a white 2006 Acura TL, the officer suspected the driver was impaired by alcohol. The driver was arrested at the scene, and it was determined that he had an amount of alcohol in his system 2.5 times the legal limit.
“It is very fortunate that this individual was apprehended before he could cause serious bodily harm to himself or another member of the public,” said Shaw.
“This incident should serve as a reminder to all motorists that alcohol and driving do not mix. In this instance, the driver could end up with a criminal record, but had he not been intercepted by officers the outcome could have been much worse.”
Police are not releasing the name of the driver, a 30-year-old man from Airdrie, who is now facing charges in relation to this incident including impaired driving, speeding, engaging in a race on a highway.
“The Integrated Traffic Units, consisting of RCMP traffic members and Alberta Sheriff Highway Patrol members, are patrolling Alberta roadways 365 days per year,” said Shaw. “If you choose to get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol, you are making a decision that could cost you your freedom, your dignity, your job, and ultimately even your life or that of someone else. Please make good decisions and enjoy your alcohol in a responsible manner.”
On June 6, the Airdrie RCMP responded to a break, enter and theft from a local business.
Employees from PROPAK Systems reported that sometime between 5 p.m. on June 5 and 5 a.m. on June 6, unknown suspects cut through a fence to gain access to the property on East Lake Boulevard.
The suspects stole five welders, valued at $3,400 each, and five suitcase welders, valued at $1,600 each.
The total loss and damage sustained in the course of this break-in exceeds $20,000.
For the third consecutive year, the number of fatalities and injuries occurring on Alberta’s roads has declined, according to Alberta Transportation’s 2010 Alberta Traffic Collision Statistics.
“These statistics clearly show that we are making progress in our efforts to make Alberta’s roads safer,” said Minister of Transportation Luke Ouellette. “But, these numbers also emphasize the importance of continuing this work. This is about all of us - every Albertan - doing what we can to stay safe. With the ongoing help and support of our traffic safety partners, we will continue to implement Alberta’s Traffic Safety Plan and to remind Albertans to drive safely.
In 2008, the Alberta government began implementing the Alberta Traffic Safety Plan. It focuses on making Alberta’s roads safer through sustained education and awareness campaigns.
Three years into the plan, results for 2010 are especially encouraging when compared to 2007. Traffic fatalities in Alberta have decreased by 24.9 per cent and traffic injuries have decreased by 25.6 per cent. Fatalities in intersection-related collisions have decreased by 33.7 per cent and serious injuries by 4.4 per cent.
“Law enforcement across the province will continue to crack down on aggressive drivers and speeders,” said Frank Oberle, solicitor general and minister of public security.
If you have information about any unsolved crime, call Airdrie RCMP at 403-945-7200 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
