Acting on various tips, members of the EPS Firearms Investigation Unit (FIU) began investigating a male suspect with respect to alleged activities surrounding illegal firearms in and around Edmonton. Their investigation led FIU members to a residence in Sherwood Park believed to contain various restricted and unrestricted firearms.
On Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, at approximately 5 p.m., FIU investigators executed a search warrant at a residence located at Sherwood Place with the assistance of the EPS Tactical Unit, Strathcona RCMP and RCMP Emergency Response team.
During the search, investigators discovered various firearms and ammunition including:
- CK VZ58 Sporter (prohibited rifle) loaded with 28 rounds of .223 caliber ammunition, in an over capacity magazine
- Pump action shotgun (prohibited) loaded with three shotgun rounds
- GSG-MP40 rifle (non-restricted) loaded with 17 rounds of .22 caliber ammunition
- SKS rifle (non-restricted) loaded with multiple rounds of ammunition
- Remington Model 700 rifle (non-restricted)
- Over-capacity magazines (prohibited)
- 313 rounds of various ammunition
- Stolen 2014 stolen Flatbed Trailer valued at $10,000
- Stolen Canadian Armed Forces Military Jacket
Thomas Ogilvie, 34, was arrested and charged with:
- Possession of Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with ammunition (x2)
- Possession of Prohibited Weapon (x2)
- Possession of Firearm Obtained by Crime
- Firearm Knowledge of unauthorized possession (x3)
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime under $5,000
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5,000
- Firearm Possession contrary to Prohibition Order (x5)
The EPS Firearms Investigation Unit (FIU) was developed in 2019 as part of the EPS’ Gun Crime Violence Reduction Strategy. FIU is mandated to reduce gun crime and community harm by investigating individuals, gangs and organized crime groups involved in, but not limited to, the illegal possession, use, altering, trafficking and manufacturing of firearms. The unit regularly collaborates with the RCMP on investigations.
“We are seeing an increase in firearms, especially rifles and shotguns, on the street which in turn can and has led to an increase in violent crime,” says Sgt. Eric Stewart of the Firearms Investigations Unit. “Between January and Aug. 11 of this year, there have been 83 shooting incidents in the city.”
“The EPS has already seized 681 firearms during the first seven months of 2020, in comparison to a total of 1,189 seized in 2019,” adds Sgt. Stewart.
During the same time period in 2019 the EPS seized 762 firearms, compared to 642 in 2018 and 644 in 2017. A total of 1,030 firearms were seized in 2018, and 1,016 in 2017.