ARTICLES

On March 23, 2021 at approximately 7:00 AM members of the Medicine Hat Police Service attended to a residence in the 1600 block of 2 Avenue NE following a report of a male in distress. The area was secured for a short time as a precaution while officers negotiated with the male. After approximately 90 minutes the male exited the residence, was apprehended under the Mental Health Act, and transported to hospital for assessment and treatment.

There were no injuries to any persons or use of force options utilized during this response.

If you or someone you know is struggling, there are several local agencies available to provide mental supports including:

Alberta Mental Health Help Line - 1-877-303-2642

The Mental Health Help Line offers 24 hour, 7 day a week confidential service that provides support, information and referrals to Albertans experiencing mental health concern. The line is staffed by a multidisciplinary team comprised of nurses, psychiatric nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, and psychologists.

Canadian Mental Health Association - 403-504-1811

Media Contact:

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

Police Operation: 1600 Block 2 Ave NE

MHPS members are currently conducting a police operation in the 1600 Block of 2 Ave NE.  This is a dynamic situation, so we are asking all traffic to avoid the area and asking residents in the area to stay indoors.  Details to follow when they become available.

Your cooperation is appreciated.

Financial crimes is a growing concern for victims and law enforcement. Financial crimes deal primarily with money for goods and can range from; counterfeit property, credit card fraud (including Interact, e-transfers and wire transfers), investment scams, Ponzi /pyramid schemes and emergency scams.

Counterfeit Fraud – relates to counterfeit property and merchandise sold either in person or on line. When shopping online pay close attention to the website. Check for spelling or grammatical errors and before you purchase anything look at the contact information. A company will usually use its own name in the email address as a contact such as blank@nestle.ca as opposed to an email ending in gmail, Hotmail or yahoo.

Credit Card Fraud –includes all sorts of card frauds including; credit cards, debit cards and gift cards. Canada has seen a huge spike in skimming frauds where culprits are able to lift the data contained on the magnetic stripe on credit cards through compromised pin pads. Once the credit card number is known they are able to purchase items online without even having the card in their possession. They can then use that card to purchase items or load money onto a prepaid credit card which cannot be traced. Often culprits will also ask someone to forward money via a wire transfer service from prepaid credit cards, which once complete, cannot be traced. If using a pin pad at a store and the chip does not work or you are unable to insert your card into the chip reader it is best to err on the side of caution and assume that pin pad is compromised.

Investment Scams –Typical investment scams will involve real estate development or RRSP money investment opportunity in which the fraudster will ask for a large sum of money in return for the promise of an immediate and high cash return. However it is likely that once you hand over your money they will close their fake company down and you will be left with nothing but an empty account. A good rule of thumb is to always get the investment offer in writing and to personally inspect the possible investment to ensure it is real before investing your hard earned money.

Gifting Scam (Pyramid scams) – these scams are similar to investment scams as they rely strictly on investors to keep growing. They base their company on recruiting family members to invest/gift money. Recruiting newcomers to the company is highly important. New members will be ensured that there is nothing illegal about the gifting program as it is simply a gift. This program IS illegal and not sustainable as eventually thousands of people will be defrauded of the money that they “gifted”.

Emergency Scams – There has been an increase in the frequency of the “Grandparent scam” reported, where a culprit will contact an elderly person posing as their grandchild. The individual will sound scared and quiet and call the person on the other line “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 and need money. They will often request for the money to be wired to a certain place, often out of province and say that the money is going to a lawyer 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. During tax season the CRA scam is also extremely prevalent and will try to put pressure on the targeted person that if they don’t pay an owed amount of money or fine, that they will be arrested and charged. The CRA does not operate this way so don’t fall victim.

In general a good rule to remember when it comes to money is to always be skeptical. 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 18, 2021 members of the Medicine Hat Police Service attended to the 600 block of Industrial Ave SE to investigate a report of a domestic assault. Upon officer’s arrival at the scene, it was learned that the suspect had fled. A search of the area was conducted and involved deploying both a K9 team as well as the MHPS unmanned aerial vehicle, but was unsuccessful in locating the suspect.

Police are asking for public assistance to locate both the suspect and a vehicle which was reportedly stolen from the scene. The truck is described as a 2004 Dodge Ram with Alberta licence plate CGJ 1085 (see attached photo). The suspect’s name can not be released at this time as charges have not been formally processed, however can confirm he is a 46-year-old Medicine Hat male and described as 5’10 tall, 180lbs, with brown hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information to assist with locating the vehicle or suspect are asked to contact the MHPS at 403-529-8481. Do not approach the suspect or attempt to apprehend.

The services of the MHPS Victim Services Unit have been offered to the victim involved in this matter.

Media Contact:

A S/Sgt Jeff Klick
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8461

Spring is in the air and with the warmer weather a noted increase in pedestrian and cycling traffic on our paths and roadways. In an effort to keep everyone safe the Medicine Hat Police Service would like to remind everyone of some safety tips:

Tips for drivers:

• As you approach crosswalks or prepare to turn, watch for pedestrians and give them the right-of-way. Failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk carries a fine of $810 and four demerit points.
• Slow down on residential streets and in areas with high pedestrian traffic.
• Watch for vehicles in the next lane who may be stopped or slowing down, for a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
• A cyclist operating a cycle on a highway has all the rights and is subject to all the duties of a person driving a motor vehicle.
• Watch for cyclists making last minute turns or who do not dismount at street and pedestrian crossings.

Tips for pedestrians and cyclists:

• Pedestrians who have the right-of-way when crossing a street, be cautious and watch for drivers who may not see you.
• Cross streets at crosswalks, especially signaled ones whenever possible. Avoid jaywalking.
• At night or in low-light conditions, take extra caution to make sure drivers see you.
• A pedestrian who is crossing the street other than at a crosswalk shall yield the right of way to vehicles on the roadway.
• Cyclists must dismount at pedestrian crossings to be treated as a pedestrian.
• Cyclists must ride in the far right side of the roadway as to not impede traffic.
• Cyclists should wear road safe clothing with fluorescent striping to catch driver’s attention.
• Cycles must be equipped with lights and reflectors and everyone should wear safety helmets.
• When operating on the trail system, cyclists should slow and yield to pedestrians where applicable.
• E-bikes must only be operated by persons 12 yrs old and over.
• The maximum motor size is 500 watts and reach a top speed of 32km/hr.
• Operators must wear a helmet and not have a passenger unless another seat is provided.
• All other cycling rules apply to e-bikes.

For more information contact:

Sgt. Gerald Sadlemyer
Traffic Unit
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8471

Service scams make up the majority of the face-to-face frauds we typically encounter. Service scams can include home renovation scams by unlicensed contractors, as well as door to door fundraising scams which will often target senior citizens.

With spring in the air, homeowners will often start thinking about completing renovations planned for over the long winter months. Before engaging a potential contractor, it is very important to ask many 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 work.

Be cautious with new contractors or service companies who do not have ties to your community, and show up unsolicited, going door-to-door offering services such; gutter cleaning, evestrough repair/replacement, siding and fascia jobs. Often, once they secure a down payment or total payment for a project in advance they will leave the community and effectively close their fake business and the homeowner will be out the money paid. Always be wary of contractors who require you to pay your bills up front, prior to starting your job. Once you have paid, it becomes a civil issue for you to fight to have your work completed.

Always be extremely cautious when hiring someone from an online resource such as Craig’s list, Kijiji, or a Facebook group. Often times these “businesses” will operate on a buyer beware policy and will offer no reimbursement if the deal falls through. Never pay upfront over the internet for services to be completed. These online communities can be an excellent place to locate a potential service provider but always meet with the contractor in person and go through the proper steps to verify their credentials before hiring them to complete any work.

As the weather gets warmer, the frequency of door-to-door frauds will typically increase. If someone comes to your door, claiming to represent a company or community organization, always ask to see his or her identification badge or supporting documentation before donating funds. If they cannot 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 you, do not allow yourself to be pressured into donating money and contact the Medicine Hat Police Service at 403-529-8481 to report the suspicious behavior.

As a general rule, when it comes to your money it is always good to be skeptical!

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

Media Contact:

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

The Medicine Hat Police along with other emergency personnel are currently on the scene of a structure fire in the 800 block of 11 Street SE. Please avoid the area if possible. Additionally, due to the strong winds the city is experiencing as well as the dry conditions, we are asking residents in the immediate area to watch for any embers which may create additional fires.  

The Medicine Hat Police along with other emergency personnel are currently on the scene of a structure fire in the 800 block of 11 Street SE.  Please avoid the area if possible.

On March 5, 2021 three Medicine Hat men were arrested after allegedly attempting to sell stolen stereo equipment. The owner recognized their recently stolen property being listed for sale on an online classified website and contacted the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS).

The Medicine Hat ALERT Regional Property Crime Unit provided assistance and identified the suspects and location of the stolen property. A Medicine Hat home was searched and the stolen stereo equipment was located, along with other stolen property and a shotgun. The gun was not lawfully possessed and two of the suspects are prohibited from owning firearms as the result of previous criminal convictions.

Resulting from this investigation Aaron Solheim, 28, Shaylon Witts, 33, and Cameron Beaudoin, 27, were arrested.

Solheim was charged with unauthorized possession of a firearm, possess firearm contrary to order, trafficking in stolen property and possession of stolen property.

Beaudoin was charged with unauthorized possession of a firearm, possess firearm contrary to order, breach of probation and breach of release order.

Witts was charged with trafficking in stolen property, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of proceeds of crime.

Members of the community who suspect drug, gang or property crime issues in their neighborhood can submit tips anonymously through the MHPS website at mhps.ca or the MHPS mobile app, which is free to download and available for both Apple and Android devices.

Media Contact:

Sgt Darren Lole
Regional Property Crime Unit
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8481

More than $160,000 in drugs and cash were seized after an ALERT investigation in southern Alberta. Four firearms, including two loaded handguns, were also seized.

The drugs were seized after a rural residence was searched in Mountain View County. ALERT seized large amounts of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine and arrested six suspects.

“Our information suggested these suspects were trafficking drugs in the region, and also supplying methamphetamine and fentanyl towards Medicine Hat and Lethbridge,” said Staff Sgt. Kelsey Fraser, ALERT Medicine Hat.

ALERT Medicine Hat’s organized crime team concluded the investigation on February 24, 2021. A number of partner agencies provided assistance, including Didsbury RCMP, Red Deer RCMP, Medicine Hat Police, and ALERT Red Deer.

An estimated $160,000 worth of drugs and cash were seized, including:

• 281 grams of methamphetamine;

• 330 grams of fentanyl;

• 261 grams of cocaine;

• 758 grams of psilocybin mushrooms; and

• $30,780 cash.

ALERT also seized four firearms, including two handguns, a rifle, and a shotgun. One of the handguns was found loaded inside the suspect’s vehicle.

Six people were arrested and face a total of 27 criminal offences:

• Edward Nicholson, 53-year-old from Didsbury, is charged with possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking, possession of proceeds of crime, and 11 firearms-related offences;

• Ryan Riley, 35-year-old from Medicine Hat, is charged with possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking;

• Lori Ehrler, 32-year-old from Medicine Hat, is charged with possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking;

• Denise Dorge, 73-year-old from Didsbury, is charged with two firearms-related offences;

• Colin Orum, 47-year-old from Didsbury, is charged with possession of drugs and careless storage of a firearm; and

• Letisha Whitesel, 19-year-old from Didsbury, is charged with property obtained by crime.

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:

Staff Sgt. Kelsey Fraser
Medicine Hat Organized Crime Team
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
Ph: 403-529-8425

Michael Tucker
Communications Director
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
Desk: 780-509-3015
Cell: 780-983-4159