A Medicine Hat man has been charged with arson following an investigation into two fires at local businesses over the weekend.

During the early afternoon of October 22, 2023, the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS), along with the Medicine Hat Fire Department responded to two separate fires that occurred within two hours of each other. The first fire was reported at the Medicine Hat Lodge and other at the Medicine Hat Mall.

The investigation revealed that both fires were deliberately set and the MHPS Criminal Investigation Section was able to identify a male suspect.  On October 23, 2023, a residential search warrant was executed, and a 40-year-old Medicine Hat male was charged accordingly.

Justin St. Dennis has been charged with two counts of arson and two counts of mischief.  St. Dennis was held for a judicial interim release hearing where he was remanded into custody and scheduled to appear in Medicine Hat Provincial Court on October 25, 2023.

There were no injuries as a result of these fires and the estimated damages are around $10,000.

Media Contact:
S/Sgt. Jason Graham
Criminal Investigation Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8481