ARTICLES

On November 27, 2019, at approximately 2330 hours police were called to the alley of the 500 block of North Railway Street SE for a report of a stabbing. Once on scene police located a 34 year old female victim who sustained a small cut on her hand by an unknown male assailant. Police discovered that unknown male was caught rummaging through and stealing items from the female’s vehicle. The male tried to flee the area, however the owner gave chase to retrieve their belongings. The owner caught the male and a brief physical confrontation occurred. During this confrontation the female victim was cut on the hand by the assailant with an unknown weapon before he fled the area on foot. The unknown male assailant is described as a 25-30 year old, native male who was approximately 6 feet tall with a thin build and was wearing a dark jacket.

A police K9 officer was called to the scene in an attempt to locate the male subject. After an extensive K9 track, in adverse weather conditions, the search was concluded as the male could not be located. This file is still under investigation. If you have any information about this event please contact the Medicine Hat Police Service.

Media Contact:
Patrol Staff Sergeant
Medicine Hat Police Service
(403)529-8481

Break and Enter 19-29258: During the early morning hours of November 27th members of MHPS responded to a break and enter at Cyclepath located at #1, 2010 Strachan Road Southeast for a report of a break and enter. On arrival police confirmed that the business had been broken into and stolen was a gold colored Gateway BMX bike.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact the MHPS at 403-529-8481 or submit at tip (anonymously if preferred) through the MHPS Mobile App.

The Medicine Hat Police Service is investigating a suspicious person/vehicle incident that occurred during the afternoon of November 26, 2019 (at approximately 3:00 PM). An adult female reported being approached while she walking in the area of Carry Drive SE by an unknown male who was driving a white car. The male subject engaged the female from the vehicle and then soon after approached her again in an inappropriate manner.

The male is described as; in his early 20’s, with black hair, dark complexion and spoke with an accent. The male was operating an older model white car with dark tinted windows that appeared to be poorly maintained.

The MHPS would also remind the public, if you observed or behaviours of an individual(s) as outlined above, contact the police immediately by calling 9-1-1. Provide a complete description of the individual and any vehicle they are using, including the licence plate number of the vehicle if possible.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact the MHPS at 403-529-8481 or submit at tip (anonymously if preferred) through the MHPS Mobile App. The MHPS mobile app 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 Rod Thompson
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8461

On November 26^th, 2019, members of the Medicine Hat Police Service responded to a glass break alarm at a business located in the 600 block of Division Ave SE. Upon arrival members of the MHPS confirmed that a Break and Enter had occurred and a K-9 unit was deployed. The K-9 Unit tracked to a location a short distance away, locating a male who was in possession of evidence from the recent Break and Enter. A 26 year old male is held in custoday facing charges of Break Enter and Commit, plus an additional shoplifting charge. The male's name can not be released until the completion of the bail hearing.

On November 26^th, 2019 members of the Medicine Hat Police Service responded to a report of a male in crisis who had recently left the hospital and was located threatening to jump off the TransCanada Highway bridge. Vehicular traffic on the highway was closed as members attempted to negotiate the male off of the of the structure. The extremely agitated male was eventually taken into custody, after nearly jumping several times, and returned back to the hospital. Th MHPS would like to thank the public for their patience as traffic was closed for a period of time.

Members of the MHPS Traffic Section have re-opened 12th Street and Parkview Drive NW for regular traffic flow. Injuries sustained were minor and treated by EMS at acene and the total damage was in excess of $25,000.00. 

Over the weekend, the Medicine Hat Police Service received an uptick in complaints about thefts from vehicles.  There were multiple entries to unlocked vehicles over the early morning hours of November 17, 2019.  The thefts primarily occurred in the Ross Glen area, but most concentrated in the Ross Glen Cres community. In most instances, loose change and some electronics, wallets, and credit cards were stolen.

With the assistance of some astute people, at about 5:59 am, an adult male was apprehended in the Somerside neighbourhood. 

The matter is currently under investigation by the police service.

Some things that people can do to avoid being a victim are:

• Locking your vehicle (including your glove box and console)
• Park in a safe spot, like well-traveled or well-lit areas with many pedestrians
• Lock your car, roll up windows, close the sunroof and don't leave a spare key in the vehicle
• Remove valuables like electronics, change and keys
• Conceal garage door openers
• Use anti-theft devices like steering wheel locks, vehicle alarms
• Remove credit cards and any personal information from the vehicle  (this includes anything that may have your address, date of birth, name, Social Insurance Number, etc)

On November 16, 2019, at about 3:00 p.m. Police Fire and EMS attended a multi vehicle collision at the intersection of Strachan Road and 13th Avenue SE.  Multiple vehicles had collided with an older model Grey Chev pickup truck that was driving erratically.   The heavily damaged truck fled the scene and was located a short time later in the area of 4000 13th Avenue SE.   A 52 year old male driver was located and is facing criminal charges.   This vehicle was reported about 15 minutes prior driving dangerously on the Trans Canada Highway near the Husky.   There were no injuries in the collision and damage is estimated at over $100000.00.    

Media Contact

Patrol Staff Sergeant

403-529-8481

A 37-year-old Medicine Hat man has been arrested after a Medicine Hat Police Service investigation dismantled a fraud and stolen property operation being perpetrated throughout southern Alberta and southwest Saskatchewan. More than $30,000 worth of property has been seized.

The six-week investigation concluded on November 7, 2019, when Medicine Hat Police Service Priority Street Crimes Unit investigators took the suspect into custody. Subsequently, numerous items were recovered consisting largely of DVD box sets and action figure toys unlawfully obtained from big box retailers throughout Southern Alberta and Saskatchewan. Investigators allege that the accused obtained the items from the retailers by fraudulent means for a fraction of their retail price with the intention of selling them for profit.

Charles Dale Glasier is alleged to have committed numerous fraudulent transactions. He has been charged with one global count of fraud over $5,000 and possession of stolen property over $5,000. Glasier is held in custody awaiting a bail hearing.

In 2017, the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre estimated that the total value of fraud reported by Canadian businesses was over $30 million, an alarming increase of 78% from the previous year. According to the Retail Council of Canada, retailers lose up to $3 billion a year or $8 million a day due to theft and shoplifting alone. Credit card and debit card fraud, robbery, break and enter and counterfeit currency are other retail crimes that significantly affect retail sales, consumer costs, and the safety of employees and customers.

Members of the public are reminded that anytime criminal activity is observed 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 AVAILABILITY: S/Sgt Cory Both will be available for interviews in the MHPS Community Boardroom at 2:15 PM on November 8, 2019 with the seized property on display.

Media Contact:

S/Sgt Cory Both
Community Safety Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-581-1056

The Medicine Hat Police Service has received numerous complaints over the past several days from people reporting a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) scam.

There have been two types of calls that have been trending in Medicine Hat recently:

• Scam #1

The caller will identify themselves as being from the CRA and accuse the person of owing money and will also make threats to have the person arrested and charged.

The scammer will direct the person to purchase iTunes gift cards or other type of gift card to pay off their debt and instruct them to call back with the card codes. The cards will then be used by the scammer to sell on the black market.

• Scam #2

The caller will identify themselves as a police officers and advise the victim that their Social Insurance Number (SIN) has been compromised, and request that the victim confirm their SIN over the phone.

To protect against these common frauds, it is important to remain vigilant and NEVER provide personal or financial information over the phone. Likewise, never comply with an unsolicited phone caller who demands payment in gift cards.

Remember:

• The CRA will never call and threaten to have you arrested for not paying your taxes.

• The CRA will never ask for payment in the form of gift cards or prepaid credit cards.

• If you are contacted and told you owe money, always confirm with the CRA directly. Look up the phone number online and do not use the call back number that the caller has provided. Do not trust your call display. It may say Police or ABC but in reality it is a scammer.

• If your workplace sells gift cards, be on the lookout for potential victims and inform them about this scam. Victims may seem stressed and agitated and purchasing a large amount of gift cards.

If you or someone you know is a victim of the CRA scam or any other fraud contact the Medicine Hat Police Service at 403-529-8481 to report.

Due to the extremely high volume of fraudulent call attempts, if you have received a fraudulent call but are not a victim (meaning you have not shared your personal information, bank information, and have not made any payment) then there is no need to report or contact police

For more information about these and other common frauds and scams visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca

Media Contact:

S/Sgt Ryan Thorburn
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8461