ARTICLES

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

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