ARTICLES

On July 16, 2019 at approximately 9:45 PM members of the Medicine Hat Police Service attempted to stop a Ford F350 that was known to be stolen earlier in the day. The vehicle failed to stop and police did not pursue the vehicle, due to concerns for public safety. Multiple police vehicles entered the area in a further attempt to stop the offender. Once the driver was identified by police, all attempts to stop the vehicle were terminated as the vehicle continued to drive recklessly throughout the neighborhood.

Resulting from this investigation a warrant has been issued and the MHPS is requesting public assistance to locate: Jason HIGDON, 36 years old, of Medicine Hat, AB. Higdon is facing charges of; Flight from a Peace Officer, Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle, and Possession of Stolen Property Over $5000.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Jason Higdon is asked to contact the MHPS at 403-529-8481 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Tips may also be submitted (anonymously if preferred) via 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:

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

On July 18, 2019 the Medicine Hat Police Service Municipal Bylaw Enforcement Section, in collaboration with; Alberta Health Services, Medicine Hat Fire Services and the City of Medicine Hat Safety Codes Departments, completed an inspection of a residence located on Dominion Street SE. The inspection was to determine what actions could remedy the neighbouring concerns about a vacant property infested with bats. It was determined by all, including the City Solicitor, that an Unsightly Property Order should be issued due the appearance of the property and the fact that the property had become detrimental to the surrounding area.

The Unsightly Property Order under Section 546 (1) of the Municipal Government Act instructs the property owners to:

“CUT, REMOVE AND CONTROL ALL WEEDS ON THE PROPERTY INCLUDING THE BIND WEED ALONG THE EAST FENCE LINE. REMOVE ALL DEAD TREES AND BRANCHES AND CUT THE GRASS. REMOVE THE UNOPERABLE, UNREGISTERED VEHICLE ALONG WITH ANY GARBAGE OR REFUSE. ALSO, YOU MUST TAKE REASONBLE MEASURES TO CONTROL THE PEST INFESTATION ON THE PROPERTY, SPECIFICALLY BATS AS THEY ARE BECOMING DETRIMETAL TO SURROUNDING AREAS AND A DANGER TO PUBLIC SAFETY “

The actions in the Order must be carried out by August 21, 2019. The property owner may appeal the Order within 14 days.

Although this is not a common type of unsightly property file, it was evident that the vacant property was causing concerns for some neighbours. There was an excessive amount of bat feces on the property and it was spreading to other surrounding homes occupied by families. It was determined that the constant need to clean the bat feces, along with the lack of freedom to enjoy their yard in the evenings, was detrimental to the neighboring properties.

Bylaw Officers will inspect the property on/after August 21, 2019 to determine if further action if necessary.

Media Contact:

Supt Heather Trail
Municipal Bylaw Enforcement Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8436

A two-month investigation by ALERT’s Medicine Hat organized crime team has resulted in what is believed to be the largest methamphetamine seizure in the city’s history. Five people were arrested, and more than $120,000 worth of drugs and cash were seized.

On July 13, 2019, with the assistance of Medicine Hat Police Service, ALERT investigators executed search warrants at two residences in Medicine Hat, arresting four people. That same day, they also stopped a vehicle along the Trans-Canada Highway near Brooks and arrested one person with the help of Brooks RCMP.

Over the course of the investigation, which started in May 2019, the following items were seized:

• 1.13 kilograms of methamphetamine;
• 156 grams of cocaine;
• 7 grams of psilocybin mushrooms;
• 207 tablets of illicit prescription drugs;
• three cans of pepper spray;
• a replica firearm; and
• $34,145 cash proceeds of crime.

This methamphetamine seizure exceeds the previous record for Medicine Hat, which the ALERT organized crime team set in December 2017 when 1.02 kilograms of meth were seized during a vehicle stop just inside city limits.

“The presence of methamphetamine has a detrimental effect not only on drug users, but also on the overall safety of citizens of Medicine Hat,” said Insp. Tim McGough, MHPS.

A total of 28 criminal charges have been laid against the five people arrested:

• Rosalind Blade, a 65-year-old woman from Medicine Hat
  • Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (x2)
  • Possession of a controlled substance (x2)
  • Possession of proceeds of crime
  • Breach of recognizance (x5)
• Bobby-Jo Blade, a 38-year-old woman from Medicine Hat
  • Trafficking a controlled substance (x5)
  • Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (x3)
  • Possession of a controlled substance (x2)
  • Possession of proceeds of crime (x2)
  • Possession of a weapon dangerous to the public
• Angie Blade, a 25-year-old woman from Medicine Hat
  • Breach of recognizance
• Harley Simons, a 44-year-old man from Medicine Hat
  • Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (x3)
• Guled Shideh, a 34-year-old man from Edmonton
  • Possession of proceeds of 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. 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. Members of Calgary Police Service, Edmonton Police Service, Lethbridge Police Service, Medicine Hat Police Service, and RCMP work in ALERT.

Media inquiries may be directed to:

Insp. Tim McGough
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8416

On July 15, 2019 at approximately 7:20 pm, the Medicine Hat Police Service responded to a residence on Cuyler Road SE following a report of a robbery. The investigation revealed that a male had been assaulted, threatened with bear spray and had a sum of money taken from him. The male sustained minor injuries that did not require medical attention.

Resulting from the investigation, two males are being held in custody facing numerous charges including; robbery, possession of a weapon dangerous, obstructing a peace officer and numerous breaches. The names of the accused will be withheld pending the completion of their bail hearings.

All individuals involved in this matter were known to one another and as such there is no further risk to general public safety.

Media Contact:

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

On July 16, 2019 at approximately 3:30 am, two suspects forced their way into an apartment located on Carswell Road SE, Medicine Hat. One of the suspects produced a knife, made threats toward the residents in the apartment and demanded money. Several personal items were taken from the victims and two of them suffered physical injuries. One attended the hospital, but left prior to obtaining treatment.

The Medicine Hat Police Service Major Crimes Section is continuing the investigation and currently have two offenders in custody. While it is early in the investigation, it is believed that the residence and the individuals inside were specifically targeted, and as such, there is no general public safety risk.

Anyone with information that could assist with this investigation is asked to contact the Medicine Hat Police Service at 403-529-8481 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800 -222-8477 (TIPS).

Media Contact:

S/Sgt. Chad Holt

Major Crimes Section

Medicine Hat Police service

Ph: 403-529-8421

At approximately 12:15 PM on July 9, 2019, a vehicle collided into the front entrance vestibule of a business located in the 300 block of Southridge Dr. Extensive damage occurred to the building and vehicle. A 57-year-old Medicine Hat woman, identified as the driver, has been charged with failing to provide a roadside breath sample and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

Media Contact:

Insp Joe West
Medicine Hat Police Service
PH: 403-529-8414

On Tuesday, July 9^th at 9:30am the MHPS Traffic Unit will be conducting an over-dimensional load escort. The escort will be travelling from Bromley Mechanical at 925 23 St SW to west town limits of Redcliff.

Due to the size of the loads, the escort will be required to counter-flow the Trans-Canada Hwy and this will affect traffic along Highway #1 in both the east and westbound lanes, along with parts of Redcliff Dr SW and Gershaw Dr SW. The escort is expected to take approximately one hour to complete so please plan your morning commute accordingly.

The MHPS appreciates the motoring public's cooperation during these escorts and reminds motorists to obey all police officer, pilot vehicle and flag person's directions.

On, July 6^th, 2019, shortly after 8:00 PM Medicine Hat Police responded to a single vehicle collision on Box Springs Rd NW, Medicine Hat. The vehicle was determined to have left the roadway, rolled and stopped after colliding with a power pole. Traffic on Box Springs Rd, was stopped for several hours and diverted as the power pole was in danger of falling. After the power pole was secured by Medicine Hat Electric Utilities, traffic was allowed to resume. The driver suffered minor injuries and was treated at hospital and has since been charged with Impaired Driving, Refusing to provide a blood sample and Dangerous Driving,

The Medicine Hat Police Service conducted a push notification to the public advising of the road closure. For up to date information on similar events please download the MHPS application, available on itunes and android devices.

The Medicine Hat Police Service has located and charged prolific offenders for local vehicle/property thefts. On July 4, 2019, the Medicine Hat Police Service Priority Street Crime Unit and members of the Patrol Section concluded a short duration investigation concerning suspects responsible for the recent stolen vehicle trend in Medicine Hat. During the afternoon of July 4, police located and arrested a suspect in the thefts, 28 year old Travis Seitz of Medicine Hat, on the 1200 block of South Railway St SE, for outstanding arrest warrants. The investigation continued into the evening of July 4, and the MHPS in conjunction with the Redcliff RCMP to locate and arrest 24 year old Raymond Needham and 20 year old Devon Koehle, both of Medicine Hat, for outstanding arrest warrants. Needham and Koehle were located in a residence on the 400 block of 2 St. SE Redcliff, AB. As a result of this investigation, property valued at an estimated $59, 000.00 was recovered, including two stolen trucks and a stolen cargo trailer, and 26 criminal code charges were laid against the three accused.

The MHPS would like to thank the community for their assistance with this investigation and urges people to download and use the MHPS Mobile app to provide tips to the police regarding criminal activities.

The Medicine Hat Police Service By-law Section and Patrol section, continue to clean up areas of the City, where noticeable amounts of waste have been noted by pro-active Patrols and complaints from the Public. On July 4, 2019 members of the Police Service Executive Team attended to the SE hill and observed some of the public concerns including waste materials and temporary shelters. These areas are currently being cleaned and the occupants have been provided access to local social services. The Police Service would like to remind the public that camping on City property is prohibited by By-law as well as littering. 

The Police Service remains committed to ensuring the use of public spaces can be enjoyed by all and will enforce by-laws and provincial regulations as required.  The public is remind to download to MHPS Mobile Application to report any on-going concerns.