ARTICLES

On December 29^th, 2022 at approximately 9:00 p.m. the Medicine Hat Police Service responded to a hold-up alarm in the 0 hundred block of 7^th St SE, Medicine Hat. A male entered the business brandishing a weapon and was demanding money. The male subject left the establishment after a brief interaction with staff members, unsuccessful in his attempts to obtain money.

Patrols members set up containment in the area, and with the use of a MHPS drone, were able to track the heat signature of the subject and allow officers to safely arrest the subject. The entire apprehension and arrest was recorded on video with the use of the drone.

A 31-year-old male of no fixed address is currently in Police Custody await a Judicial Interim Release (JIR) Bail hearing. The 31-year old male is to be charged with attempted robbery with an offensive weapon and once count of breach of probation. The identity of the male cannot be released until the conclusion of the JIR bail hearing.

Media Contact:

S/Sgt. Rod Thompson
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8461

The recent rain has created hazardous road conditions within the City of Medicine Hat. The Medicine Hat Police Service does not recommend travel within the city of Medicine Hat, until there has been some opportunity to sand the roads.

If you are traveling outside of the city, please check road condition using 511 Alberta https://511.alberta.ca/ prior to leaving.

If you see police at crash scenes, please slow down and obey directions of the officers on scene directing traffic. We have already experienced motorists crashing into parked police cars.

UPDATE

The City of Medicine Hat Municipal Works is out trying to sand key locations. However, they are also experiencing challenges in navigating hills. Please be patient with emergency crews and stay off the roads until further notice. 

A 54-year-old man is in custody and a woman sustained minor injuries following an altercation in a Medicine Hat home.

On December 19^th at about 6:30 AM members of the Medicine Hat Police Service responded to a residence on Southlands Boulevard SE after receiving a report that a woman was injured during an altercation with her former partner that involved a weapon.

The man initially threatened officers with a weapon when they responded to the home but after several hours of negotiation and with the assistance of the MHPS Tactical Team, he was safely taken in custody without injury.

Resulting from this investigation the man has been charged with the following offences.

• Assault with a weapon x 2
• Utter Threats x 3
• Possession of a weapon dangerous to the public
• Breach of Probation x 2

The man is currently held in custody awaiting a judicial interim release hearing and therefore his name can not be released at this time.

The woman did not require medical treatment for her physical injuries and will receive support from the Medicine Hat Victims Assistance Unit.

Media Contact:

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

December 19, 2022 – Request to identify

The Medicine Hat Police Service are requesting public assistance to identify two males involved in a theft of credit card that occurred on November 9, 2022.

At approximately 6:00 PM two unknown males approached a woman in a parked vehicle at a gas station on the Trans Canada Highway in Medicine Hat, AB. One of the men knocked on the driver’s window to get the woman’s attention and advised her she had a problem with her car tire. When she got out to check, it was believed that the second male, who had positioned himself near the passenger’s side of the vehicle, entered the vehicle and removed the woman’s wallet.

The woman’s credit card was used at a local department store 20 minutes later. Surveillance images of the suspects are attached. Anyone with information that can assist this investigation is asked to contact the MHPS at 403-529-8481.

Media Contact:

Patrol S/Sgt
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8481

On December 5, 2022, at approximately 1:25 PM a resident in the Southeast Hill area of Medicine Hat confronted a male who had unlawfully entered his parked vehicle. During the encounter, the resident reported he was knocked to the ground by the male and a baseball bat, and a cell phone were allegedly taken by the man.

A photograph has been obtained of the male and the Medicine Hat Police Service is requesting public assistance to identify him. Anyone with information that could assist this investigation is asked to call 403-529-8481.

Media Contact:

Patrol S/Sgt
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8461

Several stolen vehicles have been recovered and one man is facing charges following an ALERT investigation in southern Alberta.

ALERT Medicine Hat’s Regional Property Crime Unit began their investigation into a rash of regional vehicle thefts in early December.

On December 7, 2022, members identified a man exiting a 2002 Ford pickup truck which had been reported stolen from Redcliff, AB earlier that day. Upon further investigation, the following stolen items were recovered:

• Suzuki dirt bike;

• Recreational vehicles; and

• Enclosed trailer.

The total value of the property recovered is estimated at $58,000.

“Our RCPS works hard to arrest and charge prolific property offenders. Following this latest seizure, we are now working to ensure everything is returned to its rightful owners,” said Staff Sergeant Ryan Thorburn, ALERT Medicine Hat.

Jeffrey Lawless, 37 years old of Medicine Hat, is facing stolen property charges, as well as breach of probation. He has been released on conditions and is scheduled to appear in court on January 19, 2023.

ALERT worked alongside the Medicine Hat Police Service and Redcliff RCMP.

Media Contact:

S/Sgt. Ryan Thorburn
Organized Crime Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8425

On International Women’s Day the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) pledged to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of individuals in the community (Medicine Hat & surrounding area) who lead, inspire, and motivate women and work to break the bias towards advancing gender equity. Each month the MHPS, in partnership with the Medicine Hat Police Association, selects a local individual(s) to highlight with the “Be The Change” award, and celebrate the achievements of these individuals who are catalysts for change in our community.

This month, Amanda Hennessey was chosen as the recipient of the MHPS “Be the Change Award” in recognition of her passion and pursuit of advancing women in the trades industry. As a Master Electrician, instructor at the Medicine Hat College (MHC), and the MHC Electrical Department Coordinator, Amanda appreciates the importance of supporting diversity in a traditionally male dominated industry. She is one of several instructors involved in the Women in Trades program at the MHC, a 16-week program that provides an introduction and overview of carpentry, plumbing welding, and electrical trades for women and non-binary individuals. The program provides participants with a safe space to explore the various trades as a potential career and forge relationships with other women in the industry.

When asked what advice she would give a woman considering a career in the trades, Amanda says simply “to realize that it is totally possible. There is a common misconception that brute strength is required to get the job done, but she encourages everyone to open their minds to the concept that with a basic understanding of physics and the right tools to do the job, anyone can be strong.” Despite the challenges faced by women, she encourages them to consider a career in the trades as it is extremely rewarding and at the end of the day you have tangible and visible evidence of a job well done.

Amanda credits her father with being the first to support her interests and remembers how she loved helping him with chores around the house when she was growing up. It wasn’t until she was in school that she began to recognize there were barriers she would have to overcome to pursue her career interests.

In Alberta in 2021, only 7.8% of trades, transport and equipment operators were women, Hennessey says “often the biggest hurdle for women in trades industry is trying to get someone to hire you.” She knows this firsthand, as the first job she applied for at an appliance repair shop she was immediately rejected by the male business owner and told that she couldn’t do the job, solely because she was a woman. Thankfully, she didn’t let this stand in her way, and went on to have a successful career spanning almost 20 years. A message that she shares with all her students, regardless of if they are male or female, is that to treat people based on their merit. In her classroom she encourages students to discuss their concerns and share past experiences to better prepare them for working in an environment with diversified team members.

Amanda's dedication goes even beyond her teaching. In 2014 she started her own business, ARH Electric, after being approached by a female co-worker who asked for help with an issue in her home. The woman shared that she had previously hired another company but had a negative experience with the repair technician and was unable to have the job completed. She had lived for over a year without a functioning clothes drier out of fear of having another male technician come into her home. When working with clients, Amanda tries to share some of her expertise so to empower them with the knowledge and practical skills that will help them be more self sufficient and have the confidence to complete some minor repairs on their own.

When not instructing, Amanda is also the President of the Bunny Run Rabbit Rescue. An organization that works to provide permanent homes for domestic rabbits that have been abandoned. She fosters and rehabilitates several rabbits in her home while waiting for them to be adopted.

Amanda was also a member of the Women in Construction Committee before it disbanded in early 2020. Their mandate was to promote a non-biased workplace in the construction industry and actively engage both men and women through opportunities that supported and increased the advancement of professional, skilled women in the community. Amanda embodies the true meaning behind this award. Her support and work to normalize women in the trades is helping to break down barriers for the future generations of tradeswomen. We thank her for her continued efforts to lead, inspire, motivate, and break the bias!

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

Please be advised that member of the MHPS Traffic Unit will be escorting a wide load through the city this morning (Dec 8/22) starting at 9 AM.  The load will be moving from west to east city limits along the Trans Canada highway. Due to the size, counter flow measures are required and significant traffic disruption are expected between Redcliff and 6th Street SW. First Street SW will be blocked during this move.  It is anticipated it will take approximately one hour to move the load through the city limits.  Thank you for your patience and cooperation!

Various amounts of drugs and cash has been seized following a three-month investigation by ALERT in southern Alberta.

ALERT Medicine Hat’s organized crime team arrested two alleged drug traffickers on December 1, 2022 after conducting a targeted vehicle stop in the Brooks area. The vehicles were searched and the following evidence was seized:

• 249 grams of methamphetamine;
• 29 grams of cocaine;
• 85 grams of fentanyl;
• $4,500 in cash.

The drugs seized have an estimated street value of $35,000.

ALERT began its investigation in September 2022 and worked alongside Medicine Hat Police Service, Brooks RCMP and Calgary Police Services. The agencies shared criminal intelligence about drug trafficking taking place between their respective communities.

“This arrest and subsequent seizure has helped to dismantle the drug network between Calgary and Medicine Hat, and also negatively impacting the communities in between. Drug trafficking transcends municipal borders and we will continue to work alongside our partner agencies to keep communities safe,” said Staff Sergeant Ryan Thorburn, ALERT Medicine Hat.

Ashley Gackle, 45 years old of Medicine Hat, is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of property under $5,000. A bail hearing was scheduled for December 6.

Amiel Mehaisen, 30 years old from Calgary, is facing similar charges. He has been released and is scheduled to appear in court at a later date.

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.

Media inquiries may be directed to:
Mike Tucker
Communications Director
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
780-509-3015

We are happy to report that a local woman has been successfully reunited with her dog after it was taken when thieves stole her car.

During the morning of December 2nd, 2022, members of the Medicine Hat Police Service responded to a report of a stolen vehicle in the Kingsway Ave SE area of Medicine Hat. The owner reported that her dog was in the car at the time of the theft.

A short time later officers located and attempted to stop the vehicle but were unsuccessful but were able track the vehicle and it was located again at a rural location in Saskatchewan.

Two men were taken into custody without incident and the dog was located unharmed in the vehicle. The owner has since been reunited with her furry friend.

The MHPS would like to remind drivers to ensure that despite the cold weather vehicles are never left running and unlocked as it only takes seconds for opportunist criminals to take advantage. Please also remember, particularly during this holiday shopping season, to secure all property and leave valuable out of sight.

Media Contact:

S/Sgt Rod Thompson
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8461