ARTICLES

The Medicine Hat Police Service Major Crime Section has charged 53-year-old Claudio Tovar-Aguilar in relation to sexual assaults involving three female victims. The investigation into these additional offences was conducted after Tovar-Aguilar was arrested and charged for similar offences on December 21, 2019.

Since the original charges were laid, police have learned that two adult females were sexually assaulted on July 13, 2019 by Tovar-Aguilar and are believed to have been given some type of drug prior to the assault that affected their ability to give consent.

Additionally, Tovar-Aguilar has been charged with attempted sexual assault on an adult female from an incident that occurred on December 15, 2019 in which the victim is believed to have been given some type of drug that affected her ability to give her consent and also held her against her will.

As a result of this arrest Claudio Tovar Aguilar of Medicine Hat has been charged with:

• 2 counts of sexual assault
• 1 count of attempted sexual assault
• 3 counts of administer an overpowering drug in order to commit an indictable offence
• 1 count of unlawful confinement

Tovar-Aguilar has appeared before a Justice of the Peace and was remanded into custody. His next court date is scheduled for February 25, 2020.

The Medicine Hat Police Service Major Crime Section will be continuing this investigation. Anyone who believes that they may have been a victim of a sexual assault relating to this offender, or knows of someone that may be victim, is asked to contact the MHPS at 403-529-8481 to report.

Media Contact:

A/S/Sgt Adam Gregory
Major Crime Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-594-0520

February 23, 2020

Over the past several days Medicine Hat Police Service has attended to several complaints of counterfeit money. The fake money, US currency in $20 denominations, was passed at local businesses.

The texture of the fake money is similar to plain paper and the detail is of a poor quality. The counterfeit bills also have the same serial number ending 2814 B.

Please be diligent when accepting any cash and especially foreign currency that you may not be familiar with.

If you or your business has accepted or encountered similar counterfeit cash, please report it to MHPS at (403)529-8400.

The Medicine Hat Police Service Major Crime Section has charged an additional person in connection with a break in and theft from a jewelry store last week.

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

Arrests were made and in relation to this offence on February 14, 2020 and charges of possession of stolen property under $5,000 were laid against 37-year-old Kris Hansen and 23-year-old Jessica Ott. Hansen was remanded into custody with his next court date scheduled for February 27, 2020. Ott was released from custody with conditions and a scheduled court date of March 25, 2020.

On February 18, 2020 additional arrests were made in relation to this offence. As a result, 43-year-old Shane Yanke of Medicine Hat has been charged with:

• Break & Enter to a business and commit theft over $5,000
• Wearing a disguise with intent to commit an indictable offence
• Possession stolen property for the purpose of trafficking over $5,000
• Trafficking in stolen property under $5,000
• Possession of stolen property over $5,000

Yanke has been remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear for his next court date court on February 20, 2020.

The Major Crime Section will continue to investigate this matter as only a portion of the stolen jewelry has been recovered at this time and more charges could potentially be laid.

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 Crime Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8421

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