ARTICLES

March is Fraud Prevention Month in Canada, a month-long crime prevention initiative aimed at educating and informing consumers and the community on how to recognize, report, and stop fraud.

Frauds continue to victimize thousands of Canadians annually resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars being stolen from them.  Medicine Hatters are not immune to these scams.

There is a wide range of scams used by fraudsters. The best way to protect yourself from becoming a victim of fraud is to educate yourself on current trends and remain skeptical of any situation that appears too good to be true.  Criminals are constantly changing their tactics, and they are becoming more complex in their delivery of the scams.

Throughout the month, the Medicine Hat Police Service Community Support Unit will be sharing information on how to recognize and prevent citizens from becoming victims of common frauds and scams. 

This week the focus is on relationship scams which prey on our human need to connect with others. Relationships scams exploit a longing for friendship and relationships for the purpose of financial gain.

Communication often begins through a friend request or a “like” on a publicly shared photo.  These scams may continue for months or years with the victim truly believing that the suspect loves them and has their best interests at stake.  They will often convince the victim to send money to help them pay bills, or to pay for flights so that the suspect can visit the victim.  The suspect often has excuses for not using the money as intended and will request more money.  They will often video-call the victim to make the fraud seem more legitimate. 

In some cases, the victim’s friends or relatives realize the relationship is a fraud and must convince the victim who is deeply invested in the relationship. This fraud preys on people’s need for love and cannot only be financially draining but hear breaking.

Another common scam is the Grandparent scam where a scammer contacts someone pretending to be a loved one that is in trouble.  The trouble may include being arrested and needing bail money or having a serious incident happen where finances are needed quickly. Often the scammer will attempt to convince the victim that they need money within a quick timeline and request for the victim to keep the circumstances secret to not create embarrassment for them or their family.  We all want to keep our loved ones safe and want to help them where we can, which leads to the success of this fraud. This type of fraud exploits this care in hopes to trick the victim into believing they are a relative and sending them money. 

Extortion scams happen when a scammer obtains, or pretends to obtain, private information from someone or their family member and threatens to release this information if the victim does not pay money.  This often happens through social media applications and can often be associated to inappropriate photographs; however, it can also include any type of private information. The worry is that there is not guarantee that the information, if even possessed, would not be released anyway.

The best way to defeat these types of scams is through communication! If we find ourselves being requested to provide money to anyone that we don’t know well, especially over the internet, it is recommended that you ask somebody you trust about the situation. A review of these types of situations by someone not involved will often give a fresh perspective and typically lead to stopping the fraud. Further, it is important to remember that the internet is forever and that we need to be cautious of anything, including words, photos, or videos, that we post that could be used against us.  Once it goes on the internet, our content has the potential to end up in people’s hands that we don’t want.

For more information on common frauds and scams visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website.

Media Contact:

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

After receiving information that a group of youths were in possession of a .22 rifle and various replica firearms, allegedly used in violent criminal activities, the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) launched an investigation.

On February 25, 2025, the Major Crimes Unit and Patrol Section, with assistance from the MHPS Tactical Team, executed a search warrant at a residence on Industrial Avenue SE. The search resulted in the seizure of a sawed-off, defaced Ruger 10/22 rifle with live ammunition, a replica handgun, bear spray, and a machete.

As a result of this investigation, four youths have been charged with several criminal offenses, including assault with a weapon, possession of a prohibited weapon without a license, possession of a firearm without a license, defacing or removing a firearm's serial number, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public, uttering threats, and three counts of breaching release conditions.

Two of the youths have been remanded into provincial youth custody, while the other two were released on bail with conditions, pending their court appearance in April 2025. Under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the identities of all parties involved remain confidential.

Media Contact: 

Acting S/Sgt Darren Lole
Criminal Investigation Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: (403) 581 1061

During the evening hours of February 15, 2025, officers from the Medicine Hat Police Service Patrol Section were conducting property checks when they observed two suspicious individuals near a business in the 700 block of 16 Street Southwest.

After a further search of the area, they discovered that a business was insecure. Further investigation revealed that the two individuals were in possession of stolen property from the business. Both suspects were arrested for break, enter, and theft, and all stolen property was successfully returned to the business owner.

The first accused, a 43-year-old Medicine Hat man, has been charged with break, enter, and theft and is scheduled to appear in court on March 11, 2025. The second accused, a 29-year-old Medicine Hat woman, has also been charged with break and enter and has been compelled to appear in court on the same date.

The Medicine Hat Police Service will be conducting an over dimensional load escort on February 11, 2025, starting at 8:30 am.  The over dimensional load will be starting at Bromley Mechanical (925 23 Street SW) to the west Redcliff town limits on Highway #1. Traffic will be affected in both the East and West bound lanes on highway #1 and in the SW industrial Area due to counterflowing of the over dimensional load.  Please avoid these areas if possible and arrange to take alternate routes, please be patient and follow all police/bylaw/pilot vehicle directions.

Two Medicine Hat residents are facing numerous drugs and firearms related charges following a short-term investigation into suspected drug activity completed by members of Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) Patrol Section.

On February 2, 2025, a search warrant was executed at a residence located on the 900 block of 5 Street SE where police recovered: two restricted firearms, Canadian currency, and several controlled drugs including cocaine, Fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin and gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB).

As a result of the investigation, Christopher Lane, 43-years-old, and Kerrie Simms, 42-years-old, have both been charged with possession of a substance for the purpose of trafficking, possession of property obtained by crime, unauthorized possession of a firearm, unsafe storage of a firearm and possession of a weapon obtained by commission of an offence.

Lane was additionally charged with a breach of probation. A Judicial Interim Release bail hearing was held, and he has been remanded in custody with a court appearance scheduled for February 11, 2025.

Simms was held for a Judicial Interim Release bail hearing and has been remanded in custody with a court appearance scheduled for February 7, 2025.

In Medicine Hat, members of the public who suspect drug activity can contact the MHPS by calling 403-529-8481 or submitting tips online (anonymously if preferred) via the website at mhps.ca or the MHPS mobile app. The app is free to download and available for both Apple and Android devices.

Media Contact:

Acting Inspector Rod Thompson
Operational Services Division
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8416

On January 21, 2025, at approximately 4:20 AM members from the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) Patrol Section responded to a reported robbery involving a firearm that had occurred in the 400 block of 5th Avenue SE.

Upon obtaining a description of the suspect, officers observed a man attempting to leave the scene on foot and he was quickly apprehended. A subsequent search of the area near the suspect uncovered a black CO2 pellet pistol.

Through their investigation, police determined that the suspect had approached the victim, pointed the imitation firearm at him, and demanded money.

The suspect, a 38-year-old Medicine Hat resident, was charged with robbery and using an imitation firearm to commit an indictable offence. He was held for a Judicial Interim Release Hearing.

The victim, a 36-year-old man, was not physically harmed during the incident.

Media Contact:
Patrol Staff Sergeant
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8416

On January 14, 2025, Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) patrols responded to a robbery with violence at a commercial property in the 900 block of 16 Street SW, Medicine Hat. A male entered the premises, forcefully stole cash, and threatened staff with a weapon while wearing a disguise.

An investigation was immediately launched by MHPS patrols and subsequently taken over by the Major Crime Unit. As a result, 33-year-old Justin Gallant of Medicine Hat was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including robbery, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public, disguise with intent, possession of stolen property and failing to comply with release order conditions.  Additionally, Gallant was apprehended on several outstanding warrants from Calgary, Alberta. Following a Judicial Interim Release Hearing, Gallant was remanded into custody. His next court appearance is scheduled for January 20, 2025.

Media Contact

A/SSgt D Lole
Major Crime Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: (403) 581 1061

This week marks the launch of a new police training program in Medicine Hat, the result of a partnership between the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) and Medicine Hat College (MHC).

“The MHPS is proud to host the first cohort of our newly developed police training program,” said Chief Al Murphy of the MHPS. “This collaboration underscores our commitment to delivering the highest standard of service to our community while equipping our officers with the advanced skills and knowledge needed to meet today’s complex challenges.”

The inaugural class includes five recruits—four from the MHPS and one from the Blood Tribe Police Service—who will undergo a comprehensive 24-week training program. The competency-based curriculum focuses on essential skills such as control tactics, firearms, emergency vehicle operations, investigative skills, legal studies, and report writing.  Additional modules focus on mental health, with a focus on de-escalation and crisis management, and community policing, with an emphasis on a collaborative and problem-solving approach that fosters trust, respect, diversity and partnerships.

This initiative highlights the strength of collaborative efforts in fostering a safer community while preparing recruits to excel in their roles as police officers.

“As a college committed to community impact and collaboration, this is an exciting milestone for us,” said Joalee Zanidean, Regional Training Strategist at Medicine Hat College. “This dynamic program is a testament to the shared dedication of MHC and MHPS to delivering exceptional training and education. It is a wonderful reflection of a community partnership enhancing and strengthening our work - we are honored to be part of these recruits’ journeys as they step into critical roles serving our communities.”

Media Contact:

Rita Sittler
Business Services Manager
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8416
Email: rita.sittler@mhps.ca

During the early morning hours of January 7, 2025, a business located in the 700 block of 3^rd Street SE, Medicine Hat was broken into. The business sustained significant damage and property loss and members of the Medicine Hat Police Service Patrol Section were subsequently called to the scene.

Following an investigation, officers were able to identify a 42-year-old Medicine Hat man as a suspect in the break in. The suspect was subsequently arrested and charged with possession of break, enter and theft and has been scheduled to appear in court on March 18, 2025.

In addition, a 31-year-old Medicine Hat man was arrested and charged with possession of stolen property and his court appearance is scheduled for March 25, 2025.

Police were able to return some of the stolen property recovered to the rightful owner.

Media Contact:

S/Sgt Trevor Humphries
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8416

On January 1, 2025, at approximately 11:14 PM, members of the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) responded to a report of a break and enter in progress at a commercial property located in the 1500 block of Brier Park Road NW.

Utilizing a drone, officers identified an individual in the immediate vicinity. A K9 team then tracked a human scent leaving the business, leading officers to a location where the suspect was found hiding. The individual was apprehended by the police service dog.

Further investigation revealed that the same suspect was responsible for breaking into a neighboring business.

A 38-year-old male from Redcliff, Alberta, is currently in custody, awaiting a bail hearing. He faces multiple charges, including:

• Two counts of break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence,
• Two counts of mischief,
• Possession of break-in instruments,
• Resisting arrest,
• Two counts of failing to comply with a Release Order

Media Contact:

Sgt. Darlene Garrecht
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8461