ARTICLES

The Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) has noted a marked increase in the number of shoplifting reports occurring at grocery stores over the past month.

Generally, the thefts have included various foods items and other necessities of life. Retail staff and police have focused on recovering the stolen items, issuing warnings and attempting to inform the individuals on local resources that are available to assist them, including providing contact information for the Medicine Hat and District Food Bank.

If you or someone you know is struggling and in need of assistance please call the Food Bank at 403-528-4313 Ext1 and leave a message. Foodbank staff will respond to you with a pick up or delivery time within 24-48 hours and they can accommodate emergency needs more quickly if required. Additionally the Brown Bag Lunch Program is available through an online portal at www.mhfoodbank.com

For a list of other available community resources please visit: http://palliserpcn.ca/Resources/Pages/Food-Shelter.aspx

Media Contact:

Inspector Brent Secondiak

Operations Division

Medicine Hat Police Service

Ph: 403-529-8410

A woman is facing charges after the vehicle she was driving crashed into a Medicine Hat home.

On February 8, 2021, at approximately 9:00 PM a 911 call was received from a resident in the 700 block of Taylor Road SE who advised that a vehicle had crashed into their house.

Police and Fire were immediately dispatched to the scene however before they arrived the driver had fled the area on foot. Members of the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) contained the area and a K9 unit was called to assist in locating the driver. A short time later, police officers were flagged down by another area resident who advised that an unknown female was located hiding in their garage.

Police initiated an impaired driving investigation and a K9 track was utilized to confirm the driver’s identify. Resulting from this investigation a 37-year-old female is facing several charges including; failing to remain at the scene of an accident, impaired and dangerous driving. Damage to the vehicle and residence is estimated at over $50,000. Thankfully no serious physical injuries were sustained as a result of this collision

The MHPS would like thank the members of the public who assisted with this investigation.

Media Contact:

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

The Strategic Traffic Enforcement Program for February will focus on Distracted Driving, which continues to be a traffic safety priority for the Medicine Hat Police Service. In 2020, the MHPS issued 495 tickets for distracted driving and yet the issue continues to grow. Many motorists continue to operate their vehicles while distracted, regardless of the fines and demerits associated with the offence. The risks associated with distracted driving closely resemble those of impairment and can have deadly consequences.

In Alberta, the penalty for distracted driving is a $300 fine and 3 demerits.

The Traffic Safety Act restricts drivers from:

• using hand held cell phones, texting or emailing

• using electronic devices like laptop computers, video games, cameras, video entertainment displays and programming portable audio players (MP3 players)

• entering information on GPS units

• reading printed materials in the vehicle

• writing, printing or sketching

• and personal grooming

A driver can pull over to the side of the road to use their devices, providing they are stopped and legally parked. If a driver is not in a legal parking spot, for instance a drive-thru, a ticket can still be issued. The only time a driver can use their cell phone while driving is to call in an emergency situation to a 9-1-1 Communications Centre.

Among the most frequently asked questions regarding this law is whether pets are specifically addressed by the law. The answer is yes. The Traffic Safety Act also allows police to charge a driver who permits anything, including a pet, to occupy the front seat of the vehicle in such a manner that it interferes with the driver's access to the vehicle controls and the safe operation of the vehicle. Furthermore, the Traffic Safety Act allows police to charge a driver who permits anything, including a pet, to cause any obstruction to the driver's clear vision in any direction.

To learn more about all forms of distracted driving, laws to enforce safer behaviours and why focusing on the road is so important visit https://www.alberta.ca/distracted-driving.aspx.

Media Contact:

Sgt. Gerald Sadlemyer
Traffic Unit
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8481

On January 31^st members of MHPS Patrol Team 4 continued the investigation into the theft of the $1700.00 crystal reported the previous day. As a result of the investigation, officers arrested a 41 year old Medicine Hat woman who is scheduled to appear in court on March 30, 2021. Police were also able to recover the stolen property and return it the owner. MHPS would also like to send out a big thank you to all members of the public who assisted with this investigation.

Police have a 30-year-old male in custody who was wanted on outstanding warrants for arrest held by RCMP Strathcona for following offences that occurred in Strathcona, Alberta:

• Assault on a Police Officer
• Resist a Peace Officer

He was also arrested on warrants for arrest that are held by RCMP Fort Saskatchewan for the following offences:

• Resist a Peace Officer
• Flight from Police
• Impaired Operation (x2)
• Breach Conditional Sentence Order
• As well as Traffic Safety Offences

His history of assaultive behaviour towards law enforcement required a measured approach utilizing sound tactical doctrine (ie: negotiations, intelligence, and tactical officers) to maintain the safety of the public and the police.  We appreciate your cooperation and patience.

Police are on scene at an emerging high risk incident on Division Ave at 2 St SW. Please avoid the area and give us room to work. You may encounter traffic disruptions as a result.  If that is the case, please follow the directions of police officers that are directing traffic.

Thanking you in advance, for your cooperation.

On January 21^st 2021 at about 4:50 PM members of the Medicine Hat Police Service Patrol Section responded to a multi-vehicle collision that had occurred on 11 Street SE at 4^th Avenue SE.

Prior to police arrival, the primary offending vehicle had fled the scene prior with considerable damage and was later located abandoned within the city.

Investigators received information that the vehicle was stolen during a robbery with a firearm that had occurred in Calgary earlier that day, by two unknown males who were believed to be armed and dangerous. The subsequent investigation led police to locate the two suspects in a suite of a duplex located on Southlands Boulevard SE.

Police containment was established on the residence and after several hours the incident was safely resolved with assistance from the MHPS Tactical Team. Two male suspects are presently in custody as MHPS Major Crimes continues the investigation.

After the investigation is complete further information will be provided.

Media Contact:

S/Sgt Darcy Brandt
Major Crimes Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8421

On January 19^th, 2021 the Medicine Hat Police Service responded to two calls for service involving persons who have appeared to have overdosed from a new opioid based drug, known as “blue heroin” or “diz”. The drug has a bright, royal blue color and may be sold in rock form. Three subjects involved in the two calls for service were successfully provided immediate medical attention

Anyone ingesting street drugs should be aware that any opioid-based drugs they are using may be more potent than they expect. The MHPS is currently investigating the source of these street drugs, but would remind those who do use opioids purchased from illegal suppliers, to do so with this warning in mind.

If you or someone you know needs help with a substance addiction and would like assistance or information, contact Addiction and Mental Health - Community Services at 403-529-3500.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact the MHPS at 403-529-8481 or submit at tip (anonymously if preferred) through the MHPS Mobile App. The MHPS mobile app 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:

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

The Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) Major Crime Section has charged at 54-year-old male in connection with the high risk incident that occurred on January 18, 2021.

The initial call was received at 9:30 AM reporting a male in distress, who was possibly a danger to himself and others, and that he may be armed with a weapon.

At approximately 12:00 PM members of the MHPS located the male in an isolated area, south of Smelter Avenue and Factor Street SE. The area was contained as officers attempted to make contact with the male. After several attempts to communicate with the male were unsuccessful, members of the MHPS Tactical Team and Crisis Negotiators were called to the scene.

At approximately 1:15 PM the male exited the structure and pointed a long barrel weapon at the police officers on scene. An armored rescue vehicle was utilized to provide protection for the officers who were then able to deploy a single-shot projectile launcher to subdue the male and safely take him into custody.

Resulting from this investigation Dale Melbourn has been charged with the following offenses; possession of a weapon x2, assault with a weapon x2, pointing a firearm x2 and breach of previous release conditions. Melbourn was held in custody with his next court appearance scheduled for January 21, 2021.

Media Contact:

S/Sgt. Darcy Brandt
Major Crimes Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8421

On January 18, 2021 at approximately 9:30 AM members of the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) received a report of a male in distress, who was possibly a danger to himself and others, and that he may be armed with a weapon. Investigators attempted to locate the male within the city as his location was unknown at that time.

At approximately 12:00 PM members of the MHPS located the male in an isolated area, south of Smelter Avenue and Factor Street SE. The area was contained as officers attempted to make contact with the male. After several attempts to communicate with the male were unsuccessful, members of the MHPS Tactical Team and Crisis Negotiators were called to the scene.

At approximately 1:15 PM the male exited the structure and pointed a long barrel weapon at the police officers on scene. An armored rescue vehicle was utilized to provide protection for the officers who were then able to deploy a single-shot projectile launcher to subdue the male and safely take him into custody.

The use of the projectile launcher offers a less lethal option to be deployed in situations where extended ranges are needed, to create greater distance between the officer and the high-risk person(s) in crisis, and potentially avoid the need to escalate to the use of lethal force with firearms.

The male subject is known to police. He was also found to have a replica handgun and a large hunting knife in his possession during the arrest. The MHPS Major Crimes Section is investigating the incident and the subject is currently held in custody awaiting formal criminal charges.

The MHPS would like to thank the public for their cooperation during this incident. The MHPS mobile app, was used to notify the public of the high risk incident. The app is free to download and available for both Apple and Android devices or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Media Contact

S/Sgt Darcy Brandt
Major Crimes Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8421