ARTICLES

Two people have been arrested and multiple vehicles have been recovered as the result of a joint investigation between ALERT and the Medicine Hat Police Service.

ALERT’s Medicine Hat-based Regional Property Crimes unit has recovered a stolen motorhome, two trucks, and a cargo trailer, with a total estimated value of $140,000. The seizures took place on August 18, 2023, at Kin Coulee Park in Medicine Hat and a rural property.

“Working with our policing partners across southeast Alberta, our specialized team is able to share criminal intelligence and target the most prolific property crime offenders. In this case we were able to locate the stolen motorhome and have it back to its rightful owners in a timely manner,” said Staff Sergeant Ryan Thorburn, ALERT Medicine Hat.

The investigation began after ALERT spotted the stolen motorhome at Kin Coulee Park. The motorhome had been reported stolen earlier that same day to Brooks RCMP. Two suspects were identified and arrested.

Further investigation led ALERT to search a rural property, located approximately 50 kilometres northwest of Medicine Hat, where two stolen pick-up trucks were seized. One of the trucks was previously reported stolen in Etzikom, Alta. and the other from Medicine Hat.

ALERT’s investigation is ongoing and additional suspects are being pursued. ALERT is also working to return the stolen property to its rightful owners.

Kathleen Rose, 25 years old, and Kayla Thompson, 25 years old, both from Medicine Hat, were each charged with possession of stolen property.

Media inquiries may be directed to:

Mike Tucker
Communications Director
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
Ph: 780-509-3015

Over the next couple of weeks Hatters can expect to see an increased presence of Bylaw officers in city parks and on the trail system.

The officers will be providing special attention to dog owners, making sure that the provisions of the Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaws #3935 are being followed in a manner that promotes the safety of these areas for all users.

A few of the provisions dog owners should be aware of include:

• Dogs may only be off leash on trails that are in designated as off leash areas, and when off leash must still be under the owners control.
• Owners must immediately pick up after their dog and carry a means of cleaning up dog defecation whenever they have their dog in public.
• Dogs must be licensed and have a valid license tag on them.
• Dogs must be prevented from chasing wildlife as it is dangerous and illegal.
• All trail users must be respectful of others and share the trails.

Officers will be keeping an eye out for opportunities to celebrate those owners who are modelling responsible pet ownership and those individuals will be provided with a small token of appreciation for their diligence.

Media Contact:

A/Supervisor Colin Heyens
Municipal Bylaw Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8436

Two Medicine Hat males have been charged in connection with an early morning robbery earlier this week.

During the morning of August 15^th at around 5:00 AM, members of the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) responded to a report of a disturbance at a hotel located on Redcliff Drive SW. Upon arrival officers observed a robbery in progress. A male, later identified as Jeffery Jefferies, was located, and arrested on scene. The MHPS Investigation Section took over the investigation and identified another male, Joshua Buffalo-Calf McConnell, as being involved.

Resulting from this investigation, Jeffries and Buffalo-Calf McConnell were both subsequently charged with the following offenses.

Jeffery Jefferies (age 37 years, of Medicine Hat, AB) has been charged with:

• Robbery
• Wearing a mask during the commission of an offence
• Public Mischief
• Breach of Probation
• Possess Break in Instruments
• Possession of a Controlled Substance
• Possession of a Stolen Credit Card

Joshua Buffalo-Calf McConnell (age 26 years, of Medicine Hat, AB) has been charged with:

• Robbery
• Wearing a mask during the commission of an offence
• Breach of a weapon prohibition x 2
• Unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon
• Breach of a Release Order x 2
• Possession of a Stolen Credit Card x 2
• Possession of Stolen Property Under $52,000

Both Jefferies and Buffalo-Calf McConnell were held for a judicial interim release hearing and held in custody pending their next appearance in Provincial Court.

Media Contact:

S/Sgt. Jason Graham
Criminal Investigation Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8421

On August 16, 2023, at approximately 2:00 pm, the Medicine Hat Police Service will be conducting an over dimensional load escort through Medicine Hat, Alberta. The move will consist of two portable building being moved from St. Michaels School in Crescent Heights to St. John Paul School in Southridge. Highway #1 east bound will be affected by this move due to slow moving vehicles. Please try to avoid this route if possible, if unable please be patient and obey all directions from the police and pilot vehicles involved with this move.

Suspicious Fire – 500 Block Rutherford Street NW

During the morning of August 14, 2023, the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) and Medicine Hat Fire Department (MHFD) responded to a report of a structure fire at a business located in the 500 block of Rutherford Street NW. Initial indications are suggesting that the fire is suspicious in nature and therefore is now being investigated by the MHPS Criminal Investigation Section.

Anyone with information that could aid the investigation is asked to contact the MHPS at 403-529-8481. Tips may also be submitted via the MHPS website (mhps.ca) or mobile app. The MHPS app is free to download and available for both Apple and Android devices.

Media Contact:

S/Sgt. Jason Graham
Criminal Investigation Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8421

Congratulations to Constables Lisa Gervais, Mitch Young and Garreth MacPherson who recently represented the Medicine Hat Police Service at the World Police and Fire Games (WPFG) held in Winnipeg, MB.

For Cst. Gervais this was her second time competing at the Games. In 2022 she placed third, winning a bronze medal and spent the past year diligently working on herself and her weaknesses with a goal of reaching the podium once again. All of her hard work and dedication paid off when she stood on top of the podium with a gold medal. The highlight of the competition for Lisa was finishing first place in all six workouts in her age category and having two overall event wins. She was excited to share this experience alongside her two coworkers.

Cst. MacPherson also competed in six events over three days with athletes from all over the world. In his first WPFG experience he achieved great success and placed second overall in the Cross Fit competition.

Cst. Young competed in the Toughest Competitor Alive and placed second overall. He enjoyed competing against some of the fittest athletes in the first responder community from around the world and being part of such a prestigious event. Some of the highlights were walking through downtown Winnipeg in the parade of over 8,000 athletes from around the world, taking in the other events/venues, and having a chance to meet and socialize with everyone involved.

The three officers wanted to share their appreciation for the MHPS, the Medicine Hat Police Association, the community of Medicine Hat and most importantly their families for all the support they were provided.

Thank you for being such amazing ambassadors of our Service and community!

Media Contact:
Rita Sittler
Administrative Services Manager
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8416

On August 5, 2023, at approximately 9:00 pm, members of the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) responded to the 400 block of 19th Street NE to investigate a weapons complaint. The investigation has determined that an as yet unidentified person(s) approached a victim walking in the area, and fired several shots in the persons direction, before immediately fleeing the area on foot. A Police K-9 unit was deployed, but was not able to locate an offender in the area.  One male was physically injured as a result of this offence and is being treated for non-life threatening injuries. A number of collateral items of property such as vehicles and fence lines were also damaged. 

While it is early in the investigation, all indications are that the person was specifically targeted, and as such at this time there is there is no general public safety risk.

The MHPS Major Crime Section will continue the investigation and is asking that anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact the MHPS at 403-529-8481 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800 -222-8477 (TIPS). 

Tips may also be submitted (anonymously if preferred) through the MHPS Mobile App, which is free and available to download for both Apple and Android devices by searching ‘Medicine Hat Police Service’ on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Media Contact:
S/Sgt Darren Lole 
Major Crime Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8421

The Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) is again receiving reports of a scam circulating in the community.

The “Emergency Scam” (sometimes called the “Grandparent Scam”) is not new, but unfortunately there are individuals in our community who are attempting the scam and MHPS would like to remind the community to be aware of this fraud and to warn their relatives.

Traditionally, fraudsters contact potential victims while posing as a family member or friend in urgent need of cash. Often the scenario involves an accident or arrest while travelling abroad, with a request that cash be sent through a money transfer company, such as Western Union or Money Gram.

In the typical scenario, a grandparent receives a phone call from a con-artist pretending to be their grandchildren. The caller will sometime say that they are in trouble, usually a car accident, returning from a foreign country, or even in jail and need money immediately.

Victims don't verify the story until after the money has been sent as the caller specifically asks “Can you please help me? I'm in jail (or in the hospital / or in some type of financial need). But don't tell Dad. He would kill me if he found out, please sent the money ASAP. I'm scared". Wanting to help their grandchild, the victim sends the money requested. Variations on the scam are an old neighbor, a friend of the family etc. but predominantly the emergency scam is directed toward the Grandparents.

If you or someone you know has received such a request for money, take measures to verify the requestor’s identity and the legitimacy of their story before you complete the transaction. If you have fallen victim to this scam, and have not already reported it, please contact the MHPS at 403-529-8481.

The World Police and Fire Games (WPFG) will be held in Winnipeg, MB from July 28 to August 6, 2023. The WPFG is an Olympic-style competition with more than 8,500 athletes, representing 50 countries, will be competing in over 60 unique sports. The Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) is proud to have three officers participating this year, Constables Lisa Gervais, Mitch Young and Garreth MacPherson.

Cst. Gervais had the opportunity to participate in the WPFG last year in Europe where she placed third in the CrossFit competition. During that first year, Lisa created many long-lasting friendships, and she is looking forward to reconnecting with them at the 2023 games. Thrilled by the overwhelming support she received from the service and community last year, Lisa is excited to once again have the opportunity to represent the MHPS. Competing with a few of her colleagues who have all spent a considerable amount of time training to participate and she excited to leave it all out of the competition floor.

Cst. Young will be competing in the Toughest Competitor Alive event which consists of eight tests of overall fitness. He is very excited by the opportunity to represent the community of Medicine Hat and the MHPS and is most looking forward to meeting other competitors from around the world.

Cst. MacPherson will be competing in CrossFit. He is also looking forward to meeting fellow competitors from all over the world and representing MHPS!

All of us at the MHPS are bursting with pride for each of them. In addition to being incredible athletes they are all dedicated officers who provide that same effort and focus into serving and protecting our community. Please join us in wishing them good luck during their events! We hope you have a wonderful time at the Games, and we know that all of your hard work and dedication will pay off! Good luck!

Media Contact:
Rita Sittler
Administrative Services Manager
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8416

The Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) Criminal Investigation Section (CIS), in consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, has charged a former MHPS detention guard with unauthorized use of a computer.

The accused who was employed by the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires at the time of the offence worked in detention facility of the MHPS and is alleged to have accessed private information for reasons that were not work-related.

It is believed that the accused conducted over 100 searches of police databases between 2022 and 2023, in an attempt to access information that was not required for a valid work-related purpose.

A MHPS Supervisor became aware of the breach and immediately notified the CIS. An investigation was launched and the guard’s access to the MHPS facility and information were immediately removed while the investigation was ongoing and will now be permanent.

Resulting from this investigation, Teagan Austin, 20-years-old, of Medicine Hat, AB has been charged with one count of fraudulent use of a computer.

“The MHPS does not take it for granted that we are entrusted with private and often very sensitive information about the people we serve. This is a responsibility we take very seriously, and it is completely unacceptable for any officer or civilian employee to accesses private information without a valid reason” said Alan Murphy, MHPS Chief of Police.

The law and MHPS policies only permit employees to access private information for police business. Database searches and network activity are tracked with certain activities being flagged automatically for review. All employees and contractors within MHPS who require computer systems access are also required to pass enhanced security checks before getting access to databases with private information.

The MHPS has notified the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of the breaches and does not have any reason to suspect the information was shared for any financial gain.

Anyone concerned that their information may have been accessed is asked to contact the MHPS by e-mail at inquiries@mhps.ca

This information is being released in the interest of public transparency.