RCMP Community Alert: Armed and Wanted Suspect Sought Across Cold Lake, Edmonton and Fort McMurray

Section 1: The Alert

Cold Lake RCMP are asking for urgent public assistance to locate Joey Jack Joseph Botelho, 34, of Fort McMurray, Alberta. Officers began investigating a report of crimes against a person in the early morning of February 23, 2026, and have since obtained a warrant for his arrest. Despite active efforts, police have not been able to find him and believe he is deliberately avoiding contact with law enforcement.

Investigators warn that Botelho may be armed and dangerous. If you see him or his vehicle, do not approach under any circumstance. Instead, call 911 immediately. Residents in Cold Lake, Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan, Fort McMurray, and several communities in Saskatchewan are asked to be especially vigilant and to report any possible sightings or information about his whereabouts to police right away.

Section 2: Official Details

Public Call for Assistance

The Cold Lake RCMP are requesting help from the public to locate Joey Jack Joseph Botelho. CrimeCanada.ca is echoing this appeal to our community: if you have seen Botelho, had recent contact with him, or know where he might be, you are urged to contact police using the numbers below.

Incident and Charges

Following a report of crimes against a person on February 23, 2026 in the Cold Lake, Alberta area, investigators have charged Botelho with the following offences:

• Criminal harassment
• Harassing communication
• Assault

Suspect Identification

Police have released the following information to help the public recognize the suspect:

Name: Joey Jack Joseph Botelho
Age: 34
Residence: Fort McMurray, Alberta

Physical Description

• Approximate height: 5’8″
• Approximate weight: 265 pounds
• Brown hair
• Blue eyes
• Full brown beard
• Typically wears eyeglasses
• Multiple distinctive tattoos, including:
  • A 1967 Shelby Mustang tattoo on the left arm
  • A banner/scroll reading “Joel 03.12.10” on the left forearm
  • An armband design with seven skulls and bones on the upper right arm

Vehicle Information

Botelho may be travelling in the following vehicle:

• 2007 red Dodge Ram 1500
• Alberta licence plate: CXH1054

Areas He May Be Frequenting

In Alberta, police say Botelho is known to spend time in:

• Cold Lake
• Edmonton
• Fort Saskatchewan
• Fort McMurray

In Saskatchewan, he is known to frequent communities including, but not limited to:

• Kindersley
• Kerrobert
• Rouleau
• Kipling
• Melville
• Esterhazy

Residents who want to understand how this alert fits into broader local trends can review Cold Lake, Alberta crime statistics and safety data, which provide additional context about public safety in the region.

How to Report Information

Do not approach Botelho if you see him or his vehicle. Instead:

• For immediate sightings or emergencies, call 911.
• For tips or information on his whereabouts, contact Cold Lake RCMP at 780-594-3302.
• If you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), submit a tip online at www.P3Tips.com, or use the “P3 Tips” app via the Apple App Store or Google Play.

Alberta residents can also report certain crimes online or access additional police news and tools through the Alberta RCMP app, available on Apple and Google Play.

Section 3: CrimeCanada.ca Safety Perspective

From the perspective of CrimeCanada.ca, alerts involving wanted individuals who may be armed and dangerous are critical for community safety in Alberta and neighbouring provinces. Offences such as harassment and assault can escalate quickly, particularly when the suspect is actively avoiding police. Timely, accurate information helps residents in places like Cold Lake, surrounding First Nation communities such as Cold Lake 149A, and major centres including Edmonton and Fort McMurray to stay alert and make informed decisions about their personal safety.

We encourage community members to stay aware of their surroundings, trust their instincts, and immediately report suspicious behaviour or potential sightings to law enforcement. Avoid direct engagement with wanted individuals, gather as many details as you safely can (such as location, direction of travel, vehicle description, and time), and pass that information to police. Collective vigilance and responsible reporting are key parts of our shared mission to reduce harm and build safer communities across Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Official Source & Community Safety

This safety alert is based on an official release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). CrimeCanada.ca aggregates and analyzes this data to keep the alberta community informed, aware, and safe. We are an independent safety data aggregator and not the original creators of the underlying incident report.

Read the full official release here: RCMP Official Statement.