deadmonton - be on the lookout for - whyte avenue vandals
have you seen these people?
On May 31st, 2006 Edmonton police released 10 photographs of people they are seeking in connection with activities on Whyte Avenue on Saturday evening, May 27th.
Up to 30,000 people gathered on the avenue after the Edmonton Oilers won game 5 of the Stanley Cup western semi-final.
The win placed the hockey team in the Cup finals while the behaviour of the crowd tarnished Edmonton's image in the national media.
Police released the images taken from video surveillance in an attempt to identify and charge those responsible for some of the worst incidents of hooliganism and vandalism that occured that night.
Staff Sergeant Darcy Strang (left) said this was the first step towards improved public safety and protection of property on Whyte Avenue.
Strang said those identified and charged will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Crown prosecutor David Sullivan has been assigned to assist in a similar strategy to that implemented following a riot that occured on Canada Day 2001 -- also on Whyte Avenue.
All those charged at that time were sentenced to time in jail.
The images were taken from tapes taken and viewed by the police service's Intelligence Section and were chosen on the basis of clarity and strength of evidence. They do not include photos or video taken by the media.
Strang said, "What EPS wants to relate to these people is you're not anonymous. Your picture has been taken and will be taken if you commit offences on Whyte Avenue. We'll find you, we'll question you, and we'll prosecute you if necessary."
Police Chief Mike Boyd told a news conference that charges will be “vigorously pursued” against hooligans.
Those with information about the persons pictured on this page are asked to contact Edmonton police at 423-4567, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.tipsubmit.com - a secure tip submission web site.
June 1st, 2006
Within 24 hours of the photos being published, police received more than two dozen tips and reduced the list by one.
One of those pictured, a female over 18, turned herself in to police.
Police said they spoke to her but she was not charged.
A police spokesman said photos will be removed as people turn themselves in or are identified but otherwise they will remain on their site.
The Edmonton Journal chose not to run the photos stating the persons depicted have not been charged with any crimes and are simply suspects for property crimes or minor assaults.
In connection with the Canada Day 2001 riot, police seized nearly 50 images from local media outlets and posted them on their web site.
Police eventually charged 32 people and all were convicted.
June 2nd, 2006
Police announced they identified five additional individuals pictured in their appeal to the public.
The five men were not named and no charges were announced. Police also did not state how they learned of the individuals or if they had spoken to them.
In keeping with their announced practice, police removed their images from the EPS web site.
The Edmonton Sun and 630 CHED Radio also removed some but not all of the images from their web sites; the Edmonton Journal never posted the pictures.
June 4th, 2006
A total of four persons have turned themselves in while four others have been identified through tips -- but not all their images were removed from the police web site.
Once contact is made their pictures will be removed, said police.
While eight of the eleven have been positively identified, not all have been in contact with police.
June 8th, 2006
Without formal announcement, Edmonton police removed another image from their site.
Police earlier stated that once contact is made with an individual their picture would be removed.
June 12th, 2006
Global Edmonton announced police have identified and contacted eight of the eleven persons posted on their web site.
The station reported that charges have been laid and that charges are pending.
Police were quoted saying they still need to identify two women.
One man that police identified has yet to be contacted. His photograph remains posted on the police site.
June 14th, 2006
Police gave the lone male left in their online photo array one last chance to turn himself in.
They left him a message on his answering machine late in the evening of June 12th and gave him 24 hours to surrender.
"Then we'll start looking for him," said Edmonton Police Service Staff Sgt. Darcy Strang.
Police are turning over their files to two Crown prosecutors are working on laying charges against the Whyte Avenue suspects.
The prosecutors will then determine who will be formally charged.
A police spokesman said they don't hold out much hope of identifying the two women pictured.
"We suspect they may be from out of town," he said.
June 15th, 2006
Police announced they have laid charges in connection with the May 27th, 2006 disturbance on Whyte Avenue.
Of the 11 accused whose photos were made public, one man was not charged and two women remain at large.
Charged with mischief and participating in a riot were:
Joseph Connelly, 20, of Edmonton; Carissa Oullette, 18, of Edmonton; Tim Pozniak, 21, of Valleyview; Christopher Segger, 18, of Edmonton; Jason Staroszik, 18, of Edmonton and Jeremy Tounhouser, 18, of Stony Plain.
A 17-year-old Stony Plain male, who cannot be named under provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was also charged with mischief and participating in a riot.
Joshua Simpson, 18, of Edmonton, was charged with mischief and unlawful assembly.
The individual who police had to call was among those charged. His image was removed from the police web site.
All the information presented on this page has been compiled from published media reports and should not be interpreted as having legal bearing or other prejudice against the individuals named on this web site.