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Taber Group Accused of Selling Firearms, Stolen Vehicles

More than $200,000 worth of stolen property and 63 firearms have been recovered after an ALERT investigation in southeast Alberta.

ALERT’s Southeast Alberta Property Crime Unit partnered with Taber Police Service, Taber RCMP, and Medicine Hat Police Service on the investigation, which culminated with search warrants being executed on September 10, 2020.

***MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Law enforcement representatives from ALERT, Taber Police, Medicine Hat Police, and RCMP will be available to speak to the media on Wednesday, October 7, 2020, at 11 a.m. at Medicine Hat Police Headquarters (884 2 Street SE).

“ALERT was successful in disrupting a group of individuals who were impacting rural communities with thefts and property crime offences,” said ALERT CEO Supt. Dwayne Lakusta. “We will continue to work with our policing partners and Crown prosecutors to ensure these individuals are held accountable.”

Three locations in Taber were searched and five people were arrested. The group is suspected of being involved in break-and-enters and vehicle thefts in Taber, Vauxhall, Lethbridge, Stirling, Vulcan, Bow Island, Seven Persons, Coaldale, and Barnwell.

ALERT further alleges that the suspects were involved in firearms trafficking. Sixty-three firearms were seized, along with approximately 60 disassembled firearms and parts, and thousands of rounds of ammunition.

Taber is located approximately 100 kilometers west of Medicine Hat.

Following the search warrants, investigators spent weeks cataloguing the stolen property and attempting to reunite items with their rightful owners. The stolen property included:

  • seven vehicles;
  • a utility trailer;
  • license plates;
  • lawnmowers;
  • compressors;
  • generators; and
  • power tools.

Five suspects were arrested and face a total of 76 offences, including criminal charges such as trafficking stolen property, trafficking firearms, possession of proceeds of crime, and fraud:

  • Jason Pizzati, a 46-year-old man from Taber;
  • Cornelius Wolf, a 38-year-old man from Taber;
  • Dustyn McCracken, a 20-year-old man from Taber;
  • Greg Kosowan, a 72-year-old man from Taber; and
  • Heinrich Wolf, a 35-year-old man from Taber.

ALERT’s Southeast Alberta Property Crime Unit launched at the beginning of April 2020, with its creation attributable to new funding provided by the Alberta Government. The joint forces initiative is aimed at tackling regional property 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.

Media inquiries may be directed to:
Mike Tucker
Communications Director
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
780-509-3015

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Arson Investigation

On October 5, 2020 at approximately 6:15 AM, members of the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) and Medicine Hat Fire Service, responded to a structure fire in the 500 block of Allowance Avenue SE. The fire was contained to a detached garage and no one was injured.

As this time, police are treating the investigation as an arson and members of the Major Crime Section are working to identify the person(s) responsible for this offence.

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) thru 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

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Structure Fire

Emergency Crews are on scene at a structure fire in the 500 Block of Allowance Ave SE., Medicine Hat. Please avoid the area and allow the police and fire services room to work. Any media inquiries are directed to the Medicine Hat Fire Service.

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Rural Crime Spree Thwarted with Arrests

A rural crime spree has been thwarted, with ALERT making two arrests and recovering nearly $20,000 of stolen property.

The arrests took place on September 24, 2020, with the assistance of the Redcliff RCMP, after a Medicine Hat home was searched. The investigation was a collaborative effort between ALERT’s Southeast Alberta Property Crime Unit, Medicine Hat Police Service, Taber Police Service, Taber RCMP, and Bow Island RCMP.

ALERT has linked the stolen property to thefts in Taber, Redcliff, Dunmore, Bow Island, and Medicine Hat. Some of the stolen property included a cargo trailer, van, bicycles, and various tools.

“Prolific property crimes like these really magnify crime concerns in rural communities. ALERT teamed up with our partner agencies to put an end to this crime spree,” said Insp. Sean Boser, ALERT Regional Teams.

“The movement of criminals across our police jurisdictions requires a collaborative and targeted approach. We are grateful for the partnership with ALERT in combatting crime in southern Alberta,” said Chief Graham Abela, Taber Police Service.

Dallas MacDougall was charged with breaking-and-entering, theft, theft of motor vehicle, and possession of stolen property. The 49-year-old man from Medicine Hat also had a number of outstanding warrants from Medicine Hat and Redcliff.

Christopher Penney, a 45-year-old man from Medicine Hat, was charged with breaking-and-entering.

Meanwhile, warrants have been issued for two Lethbridge suspects. Shane Poole, a 31-year-old man, and Nicole Poole, a 25-year-old woman, are wanted for vehicle theft and theft.

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. Cory Both

Southeast Alberta Regional Property Crime Unit

  1. Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)

403-952-1640

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Female Charged with Aggravated Assault

On September 29, 2020, at approximately 11:50 PM, members of the Medicine Hat Police Service responded to a report of a stabbing that had occurred at a residence on Carswell Road.

Resulting from the investigation, a 20-year-old female was arrested, and a 28 year-old male victim was transported to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The female suspect remains in custody and is awaiting a Judicial Interim Release Hearing,facing charges of; Aggravated Assault, Robbery, Break and Enter, and Breach of Probation.

Media Contact:

Staff Sgt Thompson
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8461

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Male Charged with Possession of Stolen Property

On September 29, the Medicine Hat Police Service advanced the investigation into a recent theft of music equipment resulting in a 31-year-old Medicine Hat male charged with possession of stolen property over $5,000.

On August 21, 2020 it was reported the MHPS that sometime between August 16 and 21, 2020, several musical instruments and equipment belonging to a local band were stolen from a van parked in a residential area of Medicine Hat. The value of the equipment was estimated at $21,000.

As part of the investigation, almost all of the stolen equipment was recovered and returned to the owners. The investigation is still on going. The identity of the charged person can not being released at this time.

Media Contact:

Staff Sgt Thompson
Medicine Hat Police Service
Patrol Section
Ph: 403-529-8461

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Temporary Road Closure – Sierra Blvd SW

UPDATE: 3:28 PM

Sierra Blvd is now open in both directions  Thank you for your cooperation

 

 

Emergency crews are currently on the scene of a structure fire in the Sierra Blvd SW and Southridge Drive area of the City. Much of this area has been temporarily blocked off. If you are attempting to access this location please expect delays.

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Response to Concerns RE: Enforcement of Intersection Violation

The Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) is aware of community concerns regarding the issuance of a ticket surrounding a recent intersection violation. While a public response to these types of concerns would typically not be provided, as there is a court process to argue provincial violation notices, in this circumstance it is felt that general information regarding the incident can be released to the public, while also respecting the privacy rights of persons involved and ensuring their right to due process.

On September 24, 2020 the MHPS received a third party public complaint regarding a vehicle that was obstructing traffic in the north bound lane at the bottom of the Dunmore Road hill. A patrol member responded to the location, observed the vehicle in question, and activated emergency equipment behind the vehicle to ensure the safety of the persons at the scene. The officer then exited the patrol vehicle to speak to the driver of the vehicle, as well as second person who had arrived at the scene. While the police officer was speaking to the second male, the driver without notice began pushing the vehicle in question into the busy intersection on a red light, placing himself and other drivers on the roadway in jeopardy.

The police officer then waited for the legal progression of the intersection control devices and drove to an adjacent parking lot to speak to the male regarding the incident. The police officer indicated they could have safely assisted the male in moving the vehicle, but were not given the opportunity to do so. Had the driver advised police of his plan to push his vehicle, asked police to assist him in doing so safely or waited for a tow truck to safely move his vehicle across the road, a ticket could have been avoided.

The male was subsequently charged with failing to enter an intersection safely, and not with a red light violation as is being reported.

The police officer drafted a report on the occurrence and the interactions with the male subject were recorded on a Body Worn Camera (BWC) which has since been reviewed by the MHPS.

Media Contact:

Rita Sittler
Administrative Services Manager
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8416

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Police Pursuit

On September 25, 2020 at about 9:30 pm police were responding to a domestic dispute complaint between a male and a female. Officers located the vehicle involved, a white 2020 Hyundai Tucson, on 3 St SE in the 800 block. Police believed the female was in danger and she was unable to exit the vehicle. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle and it fled at a high rate of speed northbound on Maple Ave bridge and through the Crescent Heights area. The vehicle was driving dangerously (driving into on-coming traffic, travelling through stop signs and red lights), as police tried to contain it. The vehicle collided at the end of 20 St NE at Parkview Dr NE and the occupants fled separately on foot. Police contained the area and canine track was initiated. Police searched the Police Point and Ranchlands area, however, the occupants were not located.

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Male Charged with Robbery

A 15-year-old male has been charged in connection with a robbery of a liquor store that occurred the on September 21, 2020 following an investigation by the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) Major Crime Section.

On September 21st , 2020 at approximately 7:50 PM, the offender entered a liquor store located on South Railway Street SE, produced a pellet gun and demanded cash from the staff member. The male then fled the area with an undisclosed amount of money. No physical injuries were sustained during the robbery.

The 15-year-old male of Medicine Hat, AB is facing charges of robbery with an offensive weapon and wearing a disguise with intent to commit an indictable offence. He has appeared before a Justice of the Peace and has been released from custody with conditions. His next court appearance is scheduled for October 19, 2020.

Media Contact:

S/Sgt. Chad Holt
Major Crime Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8421

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