ARTICLES

Medicine Hat Police traffic unit is currently out at a motor vehicle collision at the intersection of Cameron Road SE and Carry Drive SE. The Intersection is currently closed down, so we would ask motorists to avoid this area. We will advise once the intersection is open for traffic,

More than $30,000 worth of drugs have been seized as a result of an ALERT investigation in Medicine Hat. Three people have been arrested.

The two-month investigation by ALERT’s Medicine Hat organized crime team concluded with arrests on January 10 and January 24, 2020, in Medicine Hat. It is alleged that the three accused were part of a network transporting drugs from Calgary and distributing them in southeastern Alberta.

Altogether, investigators seized drugs valued at more than $30,000, including:

• 56 grams of fentanyl powder;

• 279 grams of methamphetamine; and

• 21 grams of cocaine.

“Drug traffickers don’t confine themselves to just one community. They are always looking to expand their markets,” said Staff Sgt. Kelsey Fraser, ALERT Medicine Hat. “That’s why ALERT works closely with our law enforcement partners across the province to identify traffickers and disrupt their operations.”

Brooks RCMP, Calgary Police Service and Medicine Hat Police Service all assisted with the investigation at various points.

Wayne Shrubsall, 47, of Medicine Hat is charged with trafficking a controlled substance (x3) and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (x5). He has been remanded in custody as he was on parole from a previous ALERT investigation when he was arrested.

Nancy Fehr, 32, and Crystal Spence, 33, both of Medicine Hat, were each charged with multiple counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking. They have been released, with conditions, while they await a court 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. 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.

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)
Phone: 403-529-8425

Glenn Cook
Communications Consultant
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
Phone: 780-509-3028
Cell: 780-218-2825

Three Medicine Hat residents have been charged with drug and property offences following investigations completed by the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) Priority Street Crime Unit. Both investigations originated from tips submitted by community members concerned with suspected drug related activity occurring in residences located in close proximity to school and playground areas.

On January 23, 2020, a search warrant was executed at a residence located in the 100 block of 9 Street SW. A 30-year-old male resident of the address is facing charges of; possession of methamphetamine and fentanyl, and possession of stolen property under $5,000.

On January 25, 2020, a search warrant at a second residence, located in the 900 block of Elm Street SE. Arrested at the residence was a 29-year-old male and a 40-year-old female, who have both been charged with; possession of methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl and heroin for the purpose of trafficking, unlawful possession of firearms and additional charges relating to the modification and possession of prohibited firearms and ammunition. The male was in addition charged with breaching three prior firearm prohibitions.

The PSCU will continue to monitor both areas and address concerns as they arise.

Members of the community who suspect drug, gang or property crime issues in their neighborhood can submit tips anonymously through the MHPS mobile app, which is free to download and available for both Apple and Android devices or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Media Contact:

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

The Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) introduced a new resource today – an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), intended to create efficiencies while increasing the safety of the public and police officers.

The program was made possible when four DJI Mavic Pro 2s’ UAVs were generously lent to the MHPS at no cost.

The use of UAV’s are heavily regulated by Transport Canada and MHPS policy directs that they will be used exclusively for; aerial photography and the reconstruction of serious motor vehicle collisions / outdoor crime scenes, as well as for search and rescue and tactical purposes including calls for service involving armed subjects with a weapon and/or barricades subjects, incidents involving hostages and incidents involving explosive devices.

UAV’s have been used for domestic police work in Canada and the United States for over a decade, including by all other major police services in the provinces, and have demonstrated their effectiveness in police applications. The MHPS currently has two officers, who are certified to operate the UAV’s.

The MHPS is mindful of public privacy concerns regarding the use of drones, and has limited the scope of deployment to be respectful of these concerns. “UAV technology has the ability to increase community safety and we would be remiss as a Service not to explore it. Obtaining the equipment at no cost has allowed us to do so in a fiscally responsible manner, while also ensuring that public safety and privacy concerns are at the forefront of our deployment. The drones will be used in an operational capacity and not as a surveillance tool” says Chief Andy McGrogan.

Media Contact:

Insp Brent Secondiak
Operational Services Division
Medicine Hat Police Service
PH: 403-529-8416

Specifications of the DJI Mavic Pro 2s’ UAV’s:

The Mavic is a specific type of drone called a quadcopter, which gets its name from the four rotors that generate lift and allow it to fly. The Mavic 2 Pro is rated for up to 31 minutes of flight on a full battery. The drone has a wing span of 30cm and weighs approximately 900 grams. Specifications include:

• Backward and side facing cameras for obstacle avoidance
• Top and bottom facing IR TOF sensors for obstacle avoidance
• Top speed of 45mph
• Quiet propellers
• Long 8Km range using Ocusync 2.0
• H.265 video recording

At approximately 0015 hours on January 23, 2020 members of the Medicine Hat Police Service located Adam DAWE inside a residence located in the zero hundred block of Cuyler Road SE. Contact was made with DAWE and after a lengthy negotiation DAWE eventually surrendered himself to police. DAWE was arrested on outstanding warrants and additional criminal charges are currently pending.

The MHPS would like to thank the public for the assistance with this matter.

Media Contact:

S/Sgt Rod Thompson
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
PH: 403-529-8481

On January 21, 2020 at approximately 6:49 AM an Oldsmobile Alero was reported travelling west on the Trans Canada Highway in the eastbound lanes near Dunmore, AB. The vehicle entered the ditch, then continued driving in the appropriate lanes westbound. The Oldsmobile Alero then left the roadway and struck a power pole, before continuing on into Medicine Hat city limits and was involved in a collision with a vehicle on Ross Glen Drive SE.

The male driver of the Oldsmobile Alero was assessed on scene and it was determined he was suffering from a medical issue and was transported to hospital.

No injuries reported by either driver. Total damage to the vehicles involved and power pole is in excess of $8,000.

The Medicine Hat Police Service Traffic Unit continues to investigate the collision and a report to the Alberta Traffic Safety Board has been submitted in regards to the incident. The Medicine Hat Police Service would like to thank all witnesses that provided information.

Media Contact:

Cst Darren Holeha
Traffic Unit
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8481

Two people have been arrested and a warrant is being sought for one more following an investigation by ALERT’s Medicine Hat organized crime team.

The two-month investigation concluded on January 12, 2020, when ALERT investigators initiated a vehicle stop between Medicine Hat and Redcliff. It is alleged that the occupants of the vehicle were part of a drug trafficking group that operated in Medicine Hat, but had ties to Calgary.

From the vehicle, investigators seized drugs and cash worth approximately $68,300, including:

• 532 grams of methamphetamine;

• 96 grams of suspected carfentanil;

• 57 grams of cocaine;

• 211 grams of a cocaine buffing agent; and

• $1,325 in cash proceeds of crime.

“This is not the first time in which we have seized suspected carfentanil in Medicine Hat, but this is the most significant amount we have seized to date,” said Staff Sgt. Kelsey Fraser, ALERT Medicine Hat. “While we’re still waiting on lab results to confirm exactly what’s in the drugs that were seized, the possibility of carfentanil being present in Medicine Hat poses a serious risk to the safety of the community.”

A replica handgun was also seized from the vehicle.

Ryan Porter, 44, of Calgary was arrested and faces a total of 22 criminal charges, including: trafficking a controlled substance; possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking; possession of proceeds of crime; breach of a weapons prohibition; and breach of recognizance.

Tristan Skappak, 29, of no fixed address was arrested and charged with three counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.

A warrant is being sought for the arrest of a 36-year-old woman. ALERT is not providing her name as the charges against her have not yet been officially sworn.

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.

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

Glenn Cook
Communications Consultant
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
Phone: 780-509-3028
Cell: 780-218-2825

Police,Fire and Emergency Medical Services attended to Cameron Road at Ross Glen Green for a single vehicle collision.   A 1989 Econoline Van lost control, striking a parked vehicle and coming to rest on a residential lawn.   The driver and lone occupant of the van was not injured.   There was significant damage to the parked vehicle as well as the Econoline Van.   Damage estimated at $10,000.

On January 4^th, 2020 at approximately 12:30PM MHPS received a 911 phone call reporting that there was an ongoing dispute in the 200 block of Southlands Blvd SE with a report of a gun shot. Members of the Patrol Section responded to the call for service and quickly took a 29 year old Medicine Hat man into custody without incident. Investigation by officers at scene revealed that there was in fact no gun shot fired at any time however the male suspect in custody is facing numerous firearms and other criminal code charges. No injuries were sustained by the suspect, bystanders or police and there are no public safety concerns at this time. The matter is still under investigation at this time.

MHPS Patrol Staff Sergeant

Recovered stolen vehicle:

On January 4^th, 2020 at approximately 07:40 am members of MHPS Patrol Section conducted a vehicle stop on a 2013 GMC Yukon SUV on the 3200 block of 13^th Avenue Southeast. Patrol members quickly learned that the vehicle involved in the stop had been stolen the previous day from a local business. As a result of the investigation, the vehicle was returned to the owner and police currently have a 29 year old female in custody from Viking, Alberta as well as a 39 year old Medicine Hat man. Both subjects are held in custody awaiting a bail hearing facing numerous charges including possession of stolen property over $5000.00 and possession of a controlled substance.

MHPS Patrol Staff Sergeant