ARTICLES

The Medicine Hat Police Service is seeking public assistance to locate 40-year-old, Jason William Higdon.

Higdon does not have a fixed address and is known to live a high-risk lifestyle. Higdon was reported as missing by a concerned family member who he stays in contact with and was last seen in Medicine Hat, AB on March 1, 2023.

A photo of Jason Higdon is attached, and he is described as being 5’8” tall, 170lbs, with brown hair and has several tattoos, including “Live, Laugh, Love” written across the front of his neck.

Anyone with any information on the whereabouts of Jason Higdon is asked to contact Sgt. Clarke White of the MHPS Major Crimes Section at 403-502-8914.

Media Contact:

Sgt. Clarke White
Major Crimes Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-502-8914

Mass marketing and phone scams are one of the most common frauds nowadays. Ultimately, the fraudster wants to obtain your personal information or be provided money from you in any method. The difficulty in these types of frauds is that the targets believe they are dealing with a real company or someone trusted. The fraudsters sound very convincing and work hard to manipulate the people they call.

Whether is it by phone or by email, if you are not certain you are talking to someone legitimate, end the conversation and contact the business directly to confirm. Often fraudsters will use phone numbers that are “spoofed”, or copied, to look legitimate or emails that look real but are not. A company will usually use its own name in the email address as a contact as opposed to an email ending in Gmail, Hotmail or yahoo. These are easy things to confirm when you contact the businesses directly yourself.

One type of phone scam is an emergency scam where a scammer will contact a person posing as their relative. The individual will sound scared and quiet and call the person on the other line by their name or title such as “Grandma” or “Grandpa”, and when the person on the other line calls them by the name of their grandchild they will make up a story that they have been arrested for some sort of crime and are being held in jail somewhere and need money. They will often request for the money to be wired to a certain place, often out of the country and say that the money is going to a lawyer, as bail, or for fines and they cannot tell their parents. Remember to always check with your family members and know if they are gone somewhere, or not, before transferring money.

A common scam is where people pose as professionals from the Canada Revenue Agency, Canada Border Services Agency, Microsoft or computer technical support, or government officials in hopes to gather personal information or have money sent to them. They may request e-transfers, online gift card codes, crypto currency, or credit card information. Remember, no legitimate company or government agency will request online gift cards codes or crypto currency as payment.

Always call the company/agency back at their phone number that you have researched and confirm if the situation is real.

In general, a good rule to remember when it comes to money is to always ask questions before transferring or investing. A professional will have no problem answering your questions and showing credentials and references to prove they are who they are.

For more information on common frauds or scams and for information on how to protect yourself visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.

Media Contact:Sgt. Adam Gregory
Medicine Hat Police Service
Community Support Unit
403-529-8451

On March 26 at approximately 8 PM members of the Medicine Hat Police Service responded to the area of 20^th Street NE and 7^th Avenue NE following a report of a male acting reckless and confronting bystanders in the parking lot of a strip mall. The man had also reportedly confronted a customer inside the store in a threatening manner and then followed that person out into the parking lot where he flashed his waistband area and displayed what officers later was confirmed to be a loaded sawed off 22-caliber rifle.

When officers arrived on scene, they located the suspect, took him into custody without incident and the firearm was seized from his waistband. Further investigation determined the suspect had also been reportedly driving recklessly in the area prior to this incident.

The man is held in custody and will appear for a Judicial Interim Release hearing to speak to the following charges:

• Possess weapon contrary to Order (suspect is on an active weapons Prohibition)
• Possess firearm in a vehicle
• Contravention of Firearms Regulations
• Knowingly possess a restricted/prohibited weapon
• Assault with a weapon
• Carry Concealed weapon
• Possess weapon dangerous to the public
• Possess loaded prohibited/restricted firearm
• Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle

UPDATE: Barney Zacharias (age 23 years) has been remanded in custody and his next court appearance is scheduled April 4, 2023.

Media Contact:

Sgt. Ernie Fischhofer
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8461

The Medicine Hat Police Service would like to again inform residents of a scam, commonly referred to as the “Grandparent Scam”, which is active in our community. Over past 24 hours multiple reports have been received from local residents advising that they have been the victim of the scam or have received a call from the fraudsters attempting to execute the scam.

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.

In the most recent reports from Medicine Hat, a male has been posing as a lawyer on behalf of a grandchild. This male advises the unsuspecting victim that their grandchild is in legal trouble and requires financial aid to assist. Arrangements are then made for a financial bailout, where the suspect attends to the victim’s home in person and picks up the money.

The MHPS is asking for this information to be shared to prevent others from falling victim to the scam and asking those who have fallen victim to the scam and have not already reported, to contact police at 403-529-8481.

Media Contact:

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

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

The “Emergency Scam” (sometimes called the “Grandparent Scam”) is not new, but unfortunately a Medicine Hat resident was recently the victim of such a scam and therefore the MHPS would like to remind the community to be aware of this scam 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.

Media Contact:

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

March is Fraud Prevention Month in Canada. Throughout the month the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) Community Support Unit is sharing tips on how to recognize, reject and report common frauds and scams.

This week’s focus is on investment style scams. Investment scams can happen in person, over the phone, online, or through mail. The intent is to get someone to invest their money into an established industry, up and coming emerging sector, or any other type of opportunity. Once the money is obtained, it is not invested and kept by the person that it was provided to.

Ponzi schemes are based on investments that don’t exist. Early investors are paid some of the money provided by later investors until there are no new investors, and the scheme ends. Typically, these are created by people offering high returns on money with low risks. The pyramid scheme often requests investors to find other investors and get them to invest as well. This keeps the scheme going for a longer period. Remember that when things seem too good to be true, they likely are.

Be wary of mass marketing scams where people are trying to get you to invest in crypto currency. Again, these are currencies are uncontrolled by governments and banks and once money is deposited into a digital wallet of someone’s other than yourself, the ability to get the funds back or have a successful criminal investigation is very low.

Some tips to protect your money from these types of frauds are:

• Ask lots of questions. If you weren’t satisfied with the answers, keep asking.

• Always be suspicious of high-pressure sales tactics.

• Investments take time and consideration, don’t let someone rush you in.

• Appearances and charisma are assistants to fraudsters. Pay attention to the situation and not as much as the person selling it.

• Always seek advice from professionals. Whether it be a lawyer, an accountant, or investment professionals.

• Never accept a verbal agreement; always get it in writing and keep it handy.

• Visit the Alberta Securities Commission (ASC) Investor Alerts to stay up to date on the latest investor alerts and notices.

• To legally sell securities in Alberta, an individual must be registered with ASC (with very limited exceptions).

To protect against these common frauds, it is important to remain vigilant and NEVER provide personal or financial information over the phone.

To keep yourself in the loop about Fraud Prevention Month activities occurring provincially, follow the hashtag #FPM2023 on social media or visit the Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association website at https://www.albertacrimeprevention.com/fraud-prevention-month/

For more information about frauds and scams visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre 

Media Contact:

Sgt Adam Gregory
Medicine Hat Police Service
Community Support Unit
Ph: 403-529-8451

March is Fraud Prevention Month in Canada. Throughout the month the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) Community Support Unit is sharing tips on how to recognize, reject and report common frauds and scams.

This week’s focus is on business and service scams, which account for many of the face-to-face frauds reported to the MHPS. Service scams can include home renovation scams by unlicensed contractors, as well as door-to-door fundraising scams which will often target seniors.

Before engaging a potential contractor, it is very important to ask questions ahead of time and request the names of past clients as references to confirm the quality of their work. Professional contractors will have no issues with providing you with this information and photos of their previous work. Always be wary of contractors who request payment in full prior to beginning any work.

Be extremely cautious when hiring someone from an online resource. Often, these “businesses” will operate on a buyer beware policy and will offer no reimbursement if the deal falls through. Never pay upfront in full for services to be completed. Once you have paid, it may become a civil issue for you to have your work completed. While online communities can be an excellent place to locate a potential service provider, always meet with the contractor in person and go through the proper steps to verify their credentials before hiring them to complete the work.

If someone comes to your door, claiming to represent a company or community organization, always ask to see an identification badge or supporting documentation before donating funds. If they are unable to produce ID, there is a good chance that it is a scam. Even if they have an ID badge, but something still does not feel right, do not allow yourself to be pressured into donating money and contact the MHPS at 403-529-8481 to report the suspicious behavior.

To learn more about common frauds and scams visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website at www.antifraudcentre.ca.

A prolific break and enter suspect is facing charges following a string of break-ins in southeast Alberta.

ALERT Medicine Hat’s regional property crime unit began investigating the break-ins in November 2022 after receiving numerous reports from local businesses.

Several fast food restaurants were targeted in and around the city, as well as a strip mall.

“A number of businesses were hit in a short amount of time and our team worked quickly with everyone involved. We appreciate the community’s patience as we continue the investigation,” said Staff Sgt. Ryan Thorburn, ALERT Medicine Hat.

On March 8, 2023, police executed on a search warrant on a home in the Crescent Heights neighborhood in Medicine Hat. Kris Simons, 35-years old of Medicine Hat, was arrested and charged with the following:

• Break and enter (business) x9;
• Breach of release order; and
• Theft under $5,000.

Simons remains in custody.

The Medicine Hat Police Service and Redcliff RCMP assisted throughout the investigation.

Members of the public who suspect drug or gang activity in their community can call local police, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers is always anonymous.

ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime.

Police have left the scene of the fire in the area of 1 Ave and 9 St SW. The origin and cause is now under investigation by the Medicine Hat Fire Service - Fire Investigation Unit. 

Please abide by any barricades or "Fire Scene" barricade tape that may be on scene. 

Any media inquiries are directed to the Medicine Hat Fire Service.

The Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) will be conducting over dimensional (OD) load escorts within the city on the following dates:

March 8, 2023, at 1:00 pm, an OD load escort will be taking place starting at the Redcliff west town limits Hwy #1 to Bromley Mechanical (925 23 St SW). This OD load escort will affect traffic flow on Hwy #1 due to counterflowing of the load and in the SW industrial area of the city. Please obey all directions from the Police and pilot vehicles during the load movement.

March 9, 2023, at 11:00 am, an OD load escort will be taking place starting at Bromley Mechanical (925 23 St SW) to Hwy #1 at the Redcliff west town limits. This OD load escort will affect traffic flow in the SW industrial area of the city as well as both west and east bound Hwy #1 due to counterflowing of the load.

For everyone's safety please follow all directions from police and pilot vehicles during the load movement. Thank you!