ARTICLES

The Medicine Hat Police Service Major Crime Section has charged two people in connection with a break in and theft from a jewelry store earlier this week.

On February 10, 2020 at about 3:24 am, a suspect broke into Gold Pro Jewelers located at #108 - 3030 13 Ave SE by smashing a window. Once inside, the suspect stole several rings and earrings from within before fleeing the area. The value of the stolen items is approximately $39,000.

Arrests were made on February 14, 2020 in relation to this offence and some of the stolen jewelry has been recovered by police.

A 37-year-old Medicine Hat man is facing one charge of possession of stolen property under $5000 and three charges of breaching his court imposed release conditions. He also had outstanding warrants for his arrest that are unrelated to this investigation. He has currently in police custody awaiting his appearance before a Justice of the Peace to determine potential release.

A 23-year-old Medicine Hat woman is facing one charge of possession of stolen property under $5000 and had a warrant for her arrest that was unrelated to this investigation. She has been released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court on March 25, 2020.

The Major Crime Section is continuing with the investigation and may have additional charges in the future. Additional information will be released at that time.

Media Contact:

S/Sgt. Chad Holt

Major Crime Section

Medicine Hat Police service

403-529-8421

At approximately 10:45 AM on February 14, 2020, members of the Medicine Hat Police Service 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.

Due to a potential safety concern regarding specific students who attend the Notre Dame Academy, and due to the close proximity of the Dr. Roy Wilson Learning Centre, the Medicine Hat Police Service contacted both the Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education and Medicine Hat School District School Division 76, to place both schools on a brief hold and secure as a precaution. The hold and secure was in place for approximately 27 minutes from 11:38 AM to 12:05 PM, at which time the male was located and taken into custody without incident or injury.

At present, the investigation is ongoing into the nature of any offences that may have been committed.

The Medicine Hat Police Service would like to thank the Redcliff RCMP, Medicine Hat School District 76, and the Medicine Hat Catholic School Division for their assistance in the matter.

Media Contact

Inspector Brent Secondiak
Operational Services Division
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8410

The Trans-Canada Highway has been reopened; however, driving conditions are still undesirable. Please slow down and allow extra time to get to your destinations until snow removal crews can clear major roadways.

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Due to the fast approaching winter storm driving conditions in the City of Medicine Hat have become very dangerous in some areas. Currently police are shutting down traffic in both direction on the Trans Canada Highway between 16 St SW and College Drive SE due to several vehicles being stuck on the roadway. If travelling please slow down and try to avoid this area until further notice. Sanding units have been dispatched to the area to assist.

The Medicine Hat Police Service Major Crime Section has charged a 32-year-old Medicine Hat man in connection to a crime spree that occurred throughout the city yesterday. During an eleven hour period the suspect committed several crimes before he was located and arrested by police.

The suspect was arrested at approximately 6:30 PM on February 6, 2020 in the area of Cocks Way SE and is currently in police custody awaiting a bail hearing before a Justice. The suspect is facing charges of:

• Break and Enter to a residence (2 counts)
• Possession of a Weapon - Dangerous to the Public
• Wearing a Disguise with intent to commit an indictable offence
• Theft of a motor vehicle
• Possession of Stolen Property under $5,000
• Possession of Methamphetamine
• Transportation Fraud
• Breach of Release Order

The Medicine Hat Police Service Major Crime Section is continuing the investigation to determine if there will be additional charges.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact the MHPS at 403-529-8481 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800 -222-8477 (TIPS). Tips may also be submitted (anonymously if preferred) through the MHPS Mobile App, which 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:

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

February 6, 2020 – Serious Event Notification Update (Suspect in Custody)

In relation to the police notification from earlier today that officers were dealing with a serious event, the Medicine Hat Police Service would like to update the public that the offender has been located and arrested. MHPS is no longer looking for any suspects related to these events and there is no further risk to public safety.

The Medicine Hat Police Service Major Crime Section is currently investigating several incidents and will provide additional information as the investigations unfolds.

The Medicine Hat Police is currently dealing with a serious incident in the area of 24 Street SE between 21 Ave SE and Southview Drive. We are asking the public to stay away from the area at this time until further notice.

Three people were arrested and 253 grams of methamphetamine were seized as the result of an ALERT investigation in Medicine Hat.

ALERT’s Medicine Hat organized crime team, together with Medicine Hat Police Service, made the seizure on February 4, 2020, after a planned traffic stop was conducted.

ALERT believes the suspects were transporting meth into the city. The street value of the meth is estimated at $15,000.

“This was a quick-hit investigation in which police were able to develop timely intelligence and get a sizable amount of meth off the street,” said Staff Sgt. Cory Both, Medicine Hat Police Service.

Olivia Marshall, a 29-year-old woman from Medicine Hat, is charged with possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking and breach of a court release order.

Patrick Brill, a 33-year-old man from Medicine Hat, is charged with possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking.

Travis Lange, a 28-year-old man from Redcliff, is charged with possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking.

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. Medicine Hat residents can also submit tips anonymously through the Medicine Hat Police Service mobile app, which is free to download and available for both Apple and Android devices.

Media Contact:

S/Sgt. Cory Both
Medicine Hat ALERT
Ph: 403-581-1056

8817177. Medicine Hat residents have been charged with drug and property offences following an investigation completed by the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) Priority Street Crime Unit. This investigation originated from complaints submitted by community members concerned with suspected drug related activity occurring at a residence located in close proximity to the hospital as well as information gathered from police proactive patrol activity.

On January 31, 2020, a search warrant was executed at a residence located in the 400 block of 5th Street SW, Medicine Hat. Arrested at the residence was 39-year-old Shanley Doling and 45-year-old Jason Baynham and the following day, 41-year-old Roger Bachmeier, who was not present at the time of the search warrant. Doling and Bachmeier are charged with possession of Methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of Fentanyl and Heroin, possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of stolen property over $5,000. Baynham was arrested for outstanding warrants as well as charged with possession of Fentanyl and Heroin.

All three were held for a bail hearing. Baynham and Doling were remanded in custody until February 6, 2020. Bachmeier was released on $500 cash bail and is due back in court on February 20, 2020.

Media Contact:

SSgt Cory Both
Community Safety Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-581-1056

The traffic safety focus for the month of February will be on distracted driving.

As soon as a driver gets behind the wheel, driving should be the top thing on their mind. When a driver is distracted, focus is taken off the road and the consequences to traffic safety can be serious. Drivers in Alberta are encouraged to keep their eyes and their mind on the road.

Distracted Driving Facts:

• Research shows that distracted driving plays a role in 20 to 30 per cent of all collisions.

• Distracted drivers are three times more likely to be involved in collisions than attentive drivers.

• Some studies have shown that texting impairs driving more than alcohol or drugs.

• Between September 1, 2011, when distracted driving legislation was introduced, and March 31, 2019, there were 186,564 convictions.

• 97 per cent of these convictions were for using a hand-held communication or electronic device while driving.

• During the 2018-19 fiscal year, male drivers accounted for nearly two-thirds of all convictions.

• Overall, male drivers, aged 25 to 44 years, have the highest conviction rates.

• Drivers can stay alert and attentive by following a few tips: putting their phones away, keeping both hands on the wheel, planning ahead any use of GPS units or audio systems, and pulling over if needed.

The Municipal Bylaw Enforcement Section of the Medicine Hat Police Service reminds everyone the Smoke Free Vehicles for Minors Bylaw #4053 became law in the City of Medicine Hat September 1 2011.

Section 3 bylaw states: No person shall Smoke in a Vehicle while another person who is a Minor is present in the Vehicle, regardless of whether or not a window, sunroof, car top, door or other feature of the Vehicle is open, or whether the Vehicle is moving or stationary.

Minor is defined in the bylaw as any person under the age of 16 years of age. The specified penalty for the first offence under the bylaw is $100. A complete copy of the bylaw can be viewed at the following link:

http://www.medicinehat.ca/City%20Government/Bylaws/bylaws/bylaw4053.pdf

To report bylaw violations please call or complaints line at 403-529-8481. If you have questions related to this or any other bylaw enforcement issue please call our information line at 403-529-8400.

Media Contact:
Heather Trail
Supervisor of Municipal Bylaw Enforcement
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8436