Sgt Craswell receives IODE Award
The IODE is a Canadian women’s charitable organization. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for children, youth, and those in need, through educational, social service and citizenship programs.
Every year, the IODE chapter of PEI solicits nominations from PEI law enforcement for the annual Police Community Relations Award. This award is presented to an Officer that has provided outstanding community service beyond the requirements of duty.
It’s with great pleasure and humility that Sgt Melissa Craswell has received the 2025 Police Community Relations Award.
Sgt Craswell is a dedicated Police Officer with over 24 years of experience in law enforcement, public safety and community service. She is community focused with a strong commitment to building trust, fostering positive relationships and promoting safety through active community engagement.
Sgt Craswell takes a proactive approach to problem solving, collaborating with residents, local organizations, and youth programs to create safer and more connected neighborhoods. She demonstrates integrity, compassion and a deep understanding of the unique needs of the community, striving to make a lasting, positive impact through outreach, education and service.
Sgt Craswell does safety presentation in her community, instructs Healthy Me to grade six students and career day presentations. She gives presentations to senior groups on safety and fraud. She is a member of the Law Enforcement Torch Run committee for Special Olympics and participates annually with the Police Services Turkey Drive, Polar Bear Plunge and Torch Run.
File: 2025607048
At approximately 1:00pm on Tuesday May 6th, Charlottetown Police Services responded to a report of a female shoplifter at the Charlottetown Mall.
The complainant reported that a female had shoplifted from a store and when the employee attempted to stop her she pushed her way through and ran for the Mall exit door. A good Samaritan attempted to stop her but the female ran into him and both fell to the ground. The female got up and continued to run while threatening the male as she ran away.
While on route, Officers received a description of the female and located her near Buchanan Drive and arrested her without incident.
A 25 year old Charlottetown female has been charged with:
- Robbery
- Assault x2
- Theft Under $5000
- Uttering threats x2
The female has been remanded in custody and will appear in Provincial Court at a later date.
Following a six week CDSA Investigation, Charlottetown Police Services Street Crime Unit, arrested a male on Kensington Road at approximately 1:30 pm on Thursday afternoon (April 17th).
A subsequent search warrant was executed at the males residence which yielded 284 grams of Cocaine, 495 grams of dried cannabis, bear spray, brass knuckles, a drone, several cells phones, and over $22,000 cash.
37 year old Skylar John Peters has been charged with CDSA 5(2) Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking, Cannabis Act 10(2) Possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling it, Possession of a weapon for dangerous purposes and Breach of Probation.
The accused has been remanded in custody and will appear in Provincial Court at a later date.
Police encourage anyone with information about illegal drug activity to contact Charlottetown Police at 902-629-4172, complete the tip section below or contact PEI Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
At approximately 5:00pm yesterday afternoon (April 14), Charlottetown Police Services responded to a complaint of a vehicle that had been spray painted (graffiti tags) on Grafton Street.
Shortly after the initial complaint, a second complaint was received indicating that a male was actively spray painting a power poll in the Norwood Road area. Officers responded to that area and were able to locate the male and arrested him without incident.
A 26 year old Charlottetown male has been charged with mischief under $5000 and was released from custody. The accused will appear in Provincial Court at a later date.
The investigation into other reports of graffiti throughout the City yesterday is ongoing and may result with other charges.
File: 2025133913
Charlottetown Police Services Major Crime Unit have laid seven (7) charges against Zachary
Stephen MacNeill, a 22-year-old Charlottetown male.
On January 30th, 2025, Charlottetown Police Services were informed that a female minor was
being sexually exploited by an older male in Charlottetown. The report indicated that the minor
was involved with the older male.
Throughout the investigation, Police successfully identified the suspect using investigative
technology techniques. On April 8th, 2025, Charlottetown Police Services Major Crime Unit, with
assistance from Charlottetown Police General Patrol Unit arrested the male.
Zachary Stephen MacNeill has been charged with the following offences:
– Luring a child 172.1(1)(b)
– Sexual Interference 151
– Sexual Assault 271
– Invitation to Sexual Touching 152
– Making Sexually Explicit Material Available to a Child 171.1(1)(b)
– Making an Agreement or an Arrangement 172.2(1)(b)
Sexual Interference 151
Sexual Assault 271
Invitation to Sexual Touching 152
– Transmit Child Pornography – Written Material 163.1(3)
The accused has been released on strict conditions and will appear in a Charlottetown
Provincial Court on May 8th, 2025.
Charlottetown Police Services priority is protecting children from online predators who
misuse digital spaces to carry out harmful acts. Each investigation we pursue is an important
move toward holding offenders accountable. We encourage all residents to stay watchful, as
understanding and awareness are essential for safeguarding children in the digital world. By
staying informed, we can help create a secure online environment for our youth.
Charlottetown Police Major Crime Unit charged 39 year old Cassie Acorn of Charlottetown with murder contrary to section 229(a)(ii) and section 235(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada following an investigation into the death of her 3 month old infant daughter.
The infant’s death occurred on March 20, 2025 at the IWK in Halifax while the infant was being treated for injuries sustained during an incident in Charlottetown on March 16, 2025.
Acorn has been remanded into custody and will appear in PEI Supreme Court on April 10th, 2025.
On March 15, 2025, the Charlottetown Police Street Crime Unit executed a search warrant at a residence on King Street, leading to the arrest of 36-year-old Donald James Lutes. He was charged with several offenses, including possession of a weapon for dangerous purposes and possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking. Lutes has been in custody since his arrest.
Street Crime Unit continued their investigation and through a coordinated effort with Canada Post Postal Inspectors, officers were able to seize 13 grams of Fentanyl, which had been shipped from out of Province.
As a result of the investigation, an additional charge of possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking has been laid against Lutes. He remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in Provincial Court at a later date to answer to this new charge.
File: 2025388560
At 6:15pm Tuesday afternoon (Mar 25), Charlottetown Police Services responded to an armed robbery that occurred at the Irving Parkdale Mainway on St Peters Road.
Multiple units responded and learned that a lone masked male entered the gas stations/convenience store, threatened the employee with a needle and made off with an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect fled the scene in an un-plated black Honda Civic and proceeded east on St Pius X Ave, then proceeded south on Kensington Road.
The Street Crime Unit was called in to assist with this investigation. E-Watch video surveillance and intuitive Police work were instrumental with this investigation being solved within 24 hours. On March 26, Officers located the suspect vehicle mid morning and by late afternoon arrested the suspect without incident. With assistance from the Charlottetown Police Services Major Crime Unit, a search warrant was obtained for the suspects residence and was executed late that afternoon.
32 year old Brandon COADY has been charged under section 343 armed robbery and section 351 wearing a mask while committing an indictable offence. The accused has been remanded in custody and will appear in Provincial Court at a later date.
File: 2025353294
On Marche 18, 2025, Charlottetown Police Services responded to a panic alarm from staff at a local business on University Avenue, Staff reported that a female had been sprayed with a chemical irritant believed to be bear spray inside the business.
Multiple units responded and upon arrival Officers located a female that had been spray with a chemical irritant, later confirmed to be bear spray. The victim was treated by Island EMS for her injuries on scene. Officers were able to identify two males suspects that had fled the scene. The victim and both suspects were known to each other.
A short time later, Officers located one suspect on Burns Avenue. The male was arrested without incident.
On March 24th, members of the Charlottetown Police Services Street Crime Unit located the second male suspect on King Street and arrested the male as he attempted to flee on foot.
The first suspect, 29 year old Blake Pursey has been charged with Robbery with a weapon, mischief under $5000 and breach of probation. The accused has been remanded in custody.
The second suspect, 32 year old Michael Hollinger has been charged with Robbery with a weapon, possession of a weapon for dangerous purposes, fail to comply with a release order and breach of probation. Hollinger has also been charged with numerous offences that occurred after this robbery; theft under $5000 (x2), trespass at night (x2), breach of probation (x2), possession of a weapon for dangerous purposes and CDSA 4(1) possession of fentanyl. The accused has been remanded in custody.
At approximately 3:05 pm yesterday afternoon (March 12), Charlottetown Police Services Street Crime Unit, with assistance from the Charlottetown Police Tactical Response Unit and Patrol Officers executed a CDSA search warrant at a residence on King Street.
The search of the residence yielded 29.7 grams of Fentanyl, 5.6 grams of cocaine, a small quantity of crystal methamphetamine, three replica firearms, one crossbow, two cells phones, and multiple tools that are believed to be stolen.
As a result of this investigation, 36 year old Donald LUTES has been charged with CDSA 5(2) Possession of Fentanyl for the Purpose of Trafficking, CDSA 4(1) Possession of cocaine, CDSA 4(1) Possession of crystal methamphetamine and Breach of Probation. The investigation into the possible stolen tools is ongoing and may result in further charges.
The accused appeared in court for a bail hearing today and was remanded in custody, he will re-appear in Provincial Court at a later date.
Police encourage anyone with information about illegal drug activity to contact Charlottetown Police at 902-629-4172, complete the tip section below or contact PEI Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
