The Calgary Police Service has charged a local man, Peter John Brown, 31, with with six counts of fraud under $5,000  in connection with a door-to-door scam which began in August 2009. 
 
Earlier this year, officers in District 5 alerted northeast residents to a man who was approaching homeowners asking for help.  The suspect went to houses in Pineridge, Whitehorn, Rundle, Temple, Monterey Park and Coral Springs saying he needed assistance.  He typically claimed to be locked out of his home or vehicle and asked the resident for money to pay for a locksmith. He promised the resident that he would return the next day to repay the money, but was never seen again.
 
Following help from the public, a suspect was identified. District 5 officers would like to thank the public for their assistance with this case.  

 
Police always discourage homeowners from giving money to people who come to the door soliciting for non-charitable causes. Police also caution to never let anyone into your vehicle or home, especially someone you’ve just met.

On March 11, 2010, at approximately 3 pm, calls from residents in Coventry Hills poured into dispatch indicating a working fire. Fire crews arrived and quickly learned that some individuals had already breached the front door and initiated a search.

A nearby resident along with two off duty firefighters entered the burning home and attempted a search. The individuals were forced out but were successful in saving the family’s pet dog. The family of four was not home at the time of the blaze.
 
The house sustained significant damage and the two neighboring homes are showing signs of melted siding. Fire officials remain on scene and continue to interview witnesses. The cause of the fire is still being investigated. Approximately ten pieces of fire apparatus and 25 firefighters responded to the call.

A composite sketch has now been released of the suspect involved an attempted sexual assault against a teenage girl on Wednesday, March 10, 2010.   

At approximately 8:15 a.m., a 14-year-old girl was walking in an alley in the 100 block of Whiteridge Place N.E., when she was approached by a man. The suspect began to speak to the teen, asking personal questions and then requested that she come with him.
 
The teen denied the man’s advances and attempted to walk away, when the suspect grabbed her by the waist. The girl fought with the man and was able to get away and call for help.
 
The suspect in this case is described as between 18 to 20-years-old, with an olive-skin tone, possibly of Middle Eastern origin, 5’1” tall, 110 pounds, with short, dark hair. He was wearing a white hoodie with small black designs and black-faded jeans.
 
Police are currently working with the victim on a composite drawing. It will be sent to the media once it is completed.
 
Anyone with information about this incident or the suspect is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. You can also submit a tip online at www.calgarycrimestoppers.org.

A Calgary man has been charged in connection with a fatal hit and run accident that occurred in November of 2009.  Shaun Robert Elson died of injuries after being struck by a vehicle in the 3000 block of 32 Street N.E.   Continue Reading

The Jim Gray Safer Calgary Awards are presented to individuals and organizations that have made a significant contribution to making Calgary a safer place to live and work.  The City of Calgary Animal & Bylaw Services, the Calgary Police Service and partnering municipal departments will be recipients of the Jim Gray Safer Calgary Award.   Continue Reading

100 block of Canterville Road S.W. 

A fire that destroyed a home on March 2 was started by an unattended candle.  The damage to the home in the 100 block of Canterville Road S.W. has been estimated at approximately $650 000 in structure damages and $140 000 in loss of contents.  No one was home at the time of the fire, which has been deemed accidental.   Continue Reading

March is Fraud Prevention Month.  The City of Calgary is reminding citizens of a service that can help protect them against contractor fraud.  In the city of Calgary, contractors are required to hold a valid City of Calgary business license and citizens of Calgary are encouraged to call 3-1-1 to confirm that a would-be contractor has a valid business license. Continue Reading

Photo of Naheed Nenshi on the Facebook page to draft him for mayor
By Markham Hislop, editor

In the wake of Mayor Dave Bronconnier’s decision not to run again, Calgarians are taking to social media in hopes of drafting mayoral candidates for the upcoming civic election in October.  Thus far, there are three Facebook pages dedicated to Calgary mayoral candidates, all of them prominent political figures.  Continue Reading

Bonnie Grainger, secretary at the A.E. Cross School and victim in Thursday’s hostage-taking drama 
By Chelsea Grainger, student-reporter 

Bonnie Grainger spent two hours terrified her captor could snap at any moment and stab her with the knife he was waving behind her back.  In an exclusive interview with The Calgary Beacon, Grainger tells her side of the story that unfolded so dramatically at the A.E Cross School in Thursday afternoon. Continue Reading

The Bonnybrook waste-water treatment plant was evacuated Thursday because of a reported chlorine leak.  The Calgary Fire Department sent out the hazmat team when a small chlorine leak was reported inside one of the buildings.   Continue Reading