ARTICLES

Between 11:00 PM on July 15, 2020 and 8:00 AM on July 16, 2020, unknown person(s) spray painted “CHHS 2020” in white on multiple vehicles and property in the area of 2 Avenue NE and 18 Street NE, Medicine Hat. An estimate of the damage is unavailable at this time.

The Medicine Hat Police Service is requesting that anyone with information regarding these incidents call 403-529-8481, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477) or submit a tip via the MHPS website or 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:

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

The Medicine Hat Police Service received a complaint of a fake gold/ jewellery scam on July 9, 2020. The most recent victim was approached by persons of Middle Eastern descent, who advise the victim that they were selling legitimate gold and silver jewelry valued at $60,000, for a substantially reduced amount. The victim of the fraud later learn that the gold is worthless, but only after having lost a substantial amount of money.

This most recent incident was reported in the Flats area of Medicine Hat, but previous complaints have been received in the parking lots of local shopping areas. The accused was observed driving a newer model light green Chevrolet Equinox. A similar scam has been reported in other communities across Alberta and Saskatchewan in recent months.

The MHPS would again like to remind the public that these types of crimes are frequent within our community. The suspects are very compelling and will have believable stories regarding the nature of the gold. The most practical advice when dealing with similar occurrences is, that if something seems too good to be true, then it probably is.

Anyone with information that could help in the investigation can call the MHPS at 403-529-8481 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Media Contact:

Sgt Gerald Sadlemyer

403-529-8471

Online reporting can be used for reporting a crime if the loss or damage is under $5,000 and there are no suspects.  Reports can be filed online 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Once the information is submitted, a file number will be generated and final report returned to the email provided, usually within 24 hours. If you do not have internet access or have an email address, you can report the incident by calling (403) 529-8481.

The following report types should be submitted online:

• Theft from vehicle (car prowling)– Up to $5,000 value of property
• Theft of property– Up to $5,000 value of property
• Theft of credit or debit card (when that is the only item missing)
• Mischief to vehicle– such as vandalism
• Mischief to property– such as vandalism & graffiti
• Lost property– with the exception of government-issued ID such as passports. Please call (403) 529-8481 to report lost government issued documents.
• Attempted stolen vehicle– regardless of damage value
• Break & enter into unlocked premise other than residential (includes; sheds, parking garages, storage lockers, detached garages, etc.) Residential and commercial break and enters should be reported to (403)-529-8481.
• Theft of mail (including packages from postal services and other delivery services)
• Stolen property for sale online (including; Kijiji, Craigslist, Facebook, etc.)

For all other property-related offences, please call the MHPS non-emergency line 403-529-8481, where officers are available to answer questions and take some reports over the phone.

To report a motor vehicle collision with no injuries, call the Collision Reporting Centre at 403-581-1070.

Call 9-1-1 for all emergencies and to report crimes in progress.

Other service that can be completed online or thru the MHPS mobile app include:

• Police Information Checks - (18 years or older)
• Submitting Crime Tips
• Parking Ticket Appeals 
• Alarm System Registration 

Payment of pet licenses can be made at City Hall or APARC and payment of parking tickets can be completed at City Hall.

On July 7, 2020, at approximately 8:15 AM, the Medicine Hat Police Service received a report of a male in distress in the zero hundred block of 3 Street SE. Police attended to the area and located a 46-year-old male victim, who reported he had been threatened with a firearm and punched in the face before being robbed of a large sum of cash.

Police immediately surrounded the area and began searching for the suspect. A short time later a 25 year-old male was located hiding nearby in an adjacent apartment. The male is currently in custody, awaiting a bail hearing, and facing charges of; Robbery, Obstruction of Justice, Unlawfully in a Dwelling, Breach of Release Conditions.

After a short investigation it is believed that this was a targeted incident and that there is no further risk to the community.

The Medicine Hat Police Service would like to thank the member of the public who reported this situation and remind residents to report suspicious activity by calling 911 for all emergencies or 403-529-8481 for non- emergencies. Members of the community can also submit tips through the MHPS mobile app, which is free to download and available for both Apple and Android devices.

Media Contact:

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

The Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) continues to receive numerous reports from community members who have fallen victim to phone scams over the past several weeks. Fraudsters will often represent themselves as police officers or as employees of Revenue Canada and the calls can either be a real voice or a recording prompting you to press a number to connect with an agent. Notable recent scams include;

The scammer will pose as a police officer who claims the victim’s SIN has been compromised and used in fraudulent activity. The individual called is asked to confirm their SIN and other personal information. The scammer then tells the victim that they owe money and must pay in Bitcoin or else the officer will arrest the victim. Victims are instructed to withdraw money from their bank account and deposit into a local bitcoin machine or requested to purchase google play cards, scratch the code on the back and provide that to the scammer.

In the past four weeks at least five different local victims have lost over $20,000 by depositing money in local bitcoin machines, sending cash in the mail or purchasing google play cards. Unfortunately once sent there is no way of tracing this money.

The MHPS once again wants to remind citizens to always be wary of phone calls from anyone claiming you are under investigation, or that your personal information has been compromised, that there is a warrant for your arrest or that you owe money for some other purpose, especially from callers who are aggressive in demanding money.

As a reminder, no police agency or Revenue Canada employee will ever demand you pay money through bitcoin, Google Play cards or request that you send cash money in the mail. If you receive a call and are unsure of its legitimacy please call the MHPS at 403 529-8457 to speak with an officer.

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:

Sgt Darlene Garrecht
Community Safety Unit
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8451

The Medicine Hat Police along with other emergency personnel are currently on the scene of of motor vehicle collision at the intersection of Maple Ave SE and Prince Street. The southbound lane of Maple Ave is currently down to one lane of traffic. Please avoid the area at this time.

The Trans Canada HWY at 16th Street SW has reopened after a serious Motor Vehicle Collision.   A two vehicle collision occurred at the intersection of 16th Street SW and the Trans Canada highway at about 4:38 p.m.   There were minor injuries in the collision.  The investigation has led to charges against one of the drivers, a 30 year old male from Medicine Hat for Criminal Code dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.  Total damage estimated at $12000.00.  The police service would like to thank motorists for their patience and understanding during this investigation.    

Media Contact:

Patrol Staff Sergeant

403-529-8461 

Emergency crews are currently on the scene of an injury MVC at Trans Canada Hwy and 16th Street SW.   West bound traffic on the Trans Canada is closed at College Drive.   Traffic east bound is slowed to one lane.   Please avoid the area.

The Medicine Hat Police Service Major Crime Section has charged a local male in connection with recent offences relating to an arson and assault with a weapon investigation.

On May 29, 2020 at approximately 5:00 AM a suspect lit a motor vehicle on fire while it was parked at a residence located in the 600 block of Hemingway Cr NE. The fire completely destroyed the vehicle which had an estimated value of $26,000 and also caused approximately $3,000 damage to the residence.

On June 19, 2020 at approximately 9:30 PM, a male was walking near Division Ave S and 7 St SE when he was approached by another male who produced a weapon and threatened to assault him and burn his house down.

On June 23, 2020, Jeremiah Amero, 29-years-old of Medicine Hat, was arrested in connection with these offences and charged with:

• Arson
• Assault with a weapon
• Threats to cause death/bodily harm
• Threats to cause damage to property
• Mischief under $5,000
• Fail to comply with a firearms prohibition
• Fail to comply with court ordered conditions (numerous counts)

Amero has been taken before a Justice of the Peace and has been remanded into custody with a court appearance scheduled for June 30, 2020.

In both of these incidents the victims were specifically targeted by the offender and as such there is no general risk to the public.

Media Contact:

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