Banned knives, stolen Oilers jerseys seized from central Edmonton convenience store
Posted June 5, 2025 12:44 pm.
Last Updated June 5, 2025 12:47 pm.
Edmonton police say two men have been charged after a search at a central Edmonton convenience store allegedly uncovered weapons, tobacco and stolen goods.
On April 17, police say they searched a convenience store on 106 Avenue and 97 Street and seized:
- 50 prohibited weapons
- 12,485 contraband cigarettes (estimated retail value of $3,125)
- four stolen authentic Edmonton Oilers jerseys
- 13 stolen brand name apparel worth $4,500 including handbags and shoes that still had security tags attached, some of which had been damaged by attempts to remove them
- six stolen cellphones
Police say they also located hidden compartments built into the store’s shelving.
RELATED: Edmonton banning sale of knives in convenience stores
The EPS says it has identified an increasing trend of other convenience stores operating the same way.
“The discovery of these brand-new stolen items highlights that in some cases, retail theft has evolved beyond isolated incidents and is now part of an organized system where stolen merchandise is sold at discounts by unscrupulous businesses,” said Sgt. Dana Gehring with EPS’ community safety teams.
The store owner, Filmon Assefw, 26, and employee Simon Assefw, 19, have been each charged with possession of weapons for trafficking, possession of stolen property under $5,000, fraud under $5,000, possession of stolen property under $5,000 and sell, transport, deliver or distribute tobacco product that is not packaged/stamped.
None of the allegations have been proven in court.
