ARTICLES

On April 21, 2020, at approximately 10:30 p.m. police attempted to conduct a vehicle stop on a white Chevrolet van, in the Northeast area of the city, after it was observed driving erratically. Upon activating the police emergency equipment the driver of the vehicle conducted evasive maneuvers and fled the area in the vehicle at a high rate of speed. The vehicle was not pursued due to traffic volumes and the risk to the general public.

On April 22, 2020, just after midnight members of the MHPS observed the van in the SW area of the city. Another vehicle stop was initiated and immediately after activating the police emergency equipment the driver exited the vehicle and fled the area on foot. A K9 track was initiated and PSD Flint located a 54-year-old male a short distance away. The male was found to be driving while suspended, under Provincial legislation and was charged for the offence and released from custody.

On April 22, 2020, at approximately 3:00 a.m. Police observed a Ford Econoline van, travelling on 1 Street SW with the same 54-year-old male in the driver seat, again operating the vehicle while suspended. A vehicle stop was initiated and the vehicle failed to stop for police. The vehicle was located a short time later and stopped in the 600 block of 16 Street SW. The male once again fled the area on foot but was located and arrested. In addition to the driving suspension charges, the male is now facing charges for: Dangerous Driving, Flight from Police, Resist Arrest, and Refuse Breath Demand. This matter is still under investigation.

Individuals caught driving a motor vehicle while their licence is suspended in Alberta, will receive a $2,000 fine and in default of payment, 14 to 60 day jail terms for this offence. In addition, the drivers licence may be suspended for and additional six months. The vehicle being driven, whether owned by the driver or not, will be seized and impounded for 30 days. All towing charges and impound fees will be charged to the registered owner of the vehicle.

Media Contact

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

On April 22, 2020, at approximately 9:30 PM members of the Medicine Hat Police Service responded to a motor vehicle collision on the Trans Canada Highway in the westbound lanes of the Kin Coulee dip. Upon investigation it was determined that a male was operating a moped without proper lighting when he was struck by a tractor trailer unit.

The driver of the tractor trailer unit made every effort to avoid hitting the moped, but due to the lack of visible lighting, had limited reaction time, and was unable to completely avoid the collision. The moped operator was taken to hospital with non life threatening injuries. This matter is still under investigation.

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

Police are currently at the scene of a Motor Vehicle Collision on the Trans Canada Highway in the Kin Coulee Dip. The westbound lane of the Trans Canada Highway is currently closed, please avoid this area for the time being.

On April 21^st, 2020 at approximately 2:00 AM a lone male armed with a knife entered a business in the 800 block of Redcliff Drive SW, Medicine Hat. Upon entering the business, the male confronted a staff member and demanded cash. Once a small amount of cash was obtained the suspect ran from the business. Staff from the business contacted Medicine Hat Police Service and provided a description of the suspect and the direction of travel.

Within a few minutes of this incident police received a report of a second robbery involving a knife that occurred at a business in the 700 block of 7 Street SW.

Several police units attended to the area and the suspect was observed in the 600 block of 5 Street SW. After a brief foot chase the suspect was taken into custody and the cash recovered. A MHPS K-9 unit was deployed and subsequently located the weapon involved in the incidents. No one was physically injured in either of the robberies.

A 33-year-old male from Medicine Hat is in custody, awaiting a judicial interim release bail hearing for the following charges:

• Robbery with a Weapon
• Attempted Robbery with a Weapon
• Assault with a Weapon
• Resist Arrest
• Two counts of Breach of Release orders
• Two counts of Breach of undertaking

The identity of the accused cannot be provided until the charges have been sworn to before a justice of the peace.

Media Contact

S/Sgt Jason Graham
Patrols Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8461

During the evening of April 19, 2020 members of the Medicine Hat Police Service responded to an report of a break and enter in progress to a residence located in the 500 block of 9 Street SW. The homeowner, who was present at the time, called police after finding one of the suspects trying to gain access to the home through a window. Police immediately attended to the scene, and after conducting an area search, located two suspects, a 36 year old male and a 21 year old female, who were arrested and charged following an investigation. The names of the individuals cannot be released at this time, pending the charges being sworn in Provincial Court.

Residents are reminded to report crimes in progress to police by calling 911. Non emergencies can be reported by calling 403-529-8481 or through submitting a report online via the MHPS website at www.mhps.ca or 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 Jason Graham
Patrols Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8461

On April 16, 2020, the Medicine Hat Police Service was notified of a potentially suicidal male operating a motor vehicle that possibly had a firearm. With a description of the vehicle, Patrols members were able to locate the subject and conduct a vehicle stop. As the driver showed signs of impairment an impaired driving investigation was initiated and the male was transported to MHPS where two breath samples were obtained. Resulting from this investigation the 56-year-old male was charged with:

• Impaired driving and exceed .08
• Two counts of Driving while Prohibited
• Three counts of Breach of Probation
• Three counts of Breach of Recognizance

The accused was released with a court appearance scheduled for July 22, 2020. No firearms were located in the accused’s vehicle.

Impaired driving continues to be a major contributing factor in fatal and serious injuries in Alberta. On average, 6,000 people were convicted of impaired driving in Alberta each year for the last five years. And from 2008-2016, 574 people died and nearly 8,000 people were injured as a result of alcohol- or drug-impaired driving.

Impaired Driving Laws:

• Having a BAC of 0.08 or over within two hours of driving is a criminal offence.

• In Alberta, and in most other Canadian jurisdictions, a driver with a BAC between 0.05 and 0.079 may face provincial consequences through the Immediate Roadside Suspension Program.

• Cannabis limits are measured using nanograms of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in blood.

• There are criminal penalties for cannabis when a driver has over 2 ng/ml but less that 5ng/ml of THC in blood and when a driver has 5 ng/ml or more THC in blood.

• There are also criminal penalties for combined drug and alcohol impairment when a driver has 2.5 ng/ml or more THC combined with 50 mg/100ml or more alcohol in their blood.

To report an impaired driver, call 9-1-1.

Media Contact:

Staff Sergeant Humphries
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8461

On April 16, 2020 members of Medicine Hat Police Service responded to a report of a break and enter to a business located in the 400 Block of 3^rd Street SE, Medicine Hat. Several items were reported to be stolen including electronic equipment and knives with an estimated value of $1,500.

Following an investigation 20 year old male suspect from Calgary, AB was arrested and charged with:

• Break and Enter to a Business
• Theft Under $5,000
• Breach of Probation x 2
• Breach of Recognizance x 6

The MHPS remains diligent in checking business and residential areas for property offenders during the Covid-19 pandemic. Anyone with information regarding any criminal activity is asked to contact the MHPS at 403-529-8481 or submit a report online via the MHPS website at www.mhps.ca or 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.

On April 13, 2020, at approximately 0710 hours a male attended to the front counter of the Medicine Hat Police Service. The male was in obvious distress and advised police that he was going to kill himself. The male then brandished a small hunting knife. Several police officers attended the reception area to confront the male and after a short negotiation the male surrendered himself to police. The male was taken into custody and transported to the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital for a Mental Health assessment. No one was injured during this incident.  

The Public is reminded that there are mental Health professionals still available during the Covid-19 crisis, and should contact the appropriate organizations if required. 

On April 13, 2020, at approximately 0620 hours Medicine Hat 911 Communications received a complaint that a vehicle had just been stolen from a residence on Woodman Avenue SE. Patrol members attended to the area and located the vehicle a short distance away, in motion, and being driven toward a dead end cul-de-sac. Police officers followed but before a vehicle stop could be initiated the driver did a U-turn and began to flee the area. The unknown driver rammed the approaching police cruiser to facilitate their escape causing considerable vehicle damage. No police officers were injured as a result of this incident.

The stolen vehicle was last seen leaving the city Eastbound on Highway 41A. The vehicle was described as a mid-90’s White Ford F250 Regular Cab with a full box canopy and bearing Saskatchewan Licence Plate 162 JSB. The MHPS would like to speak to any witnesses who may have further information or may have observed this incident and ask that they contact police at (403)529-8481. If this vehicle is located please do not approach and contact police immediately.

Media Contact:

S/Sgt Ryan Thorburn

Patrol Section

Medicine Hat Police Service

PH: 403-529-8481

The Medicine Hat Police Service Municipal Bylaw Enforcement Section has noted a concerning trend involving aggressive dog complaints. Since April 1 2020 there have been six aggressive dog complaints received, with five confirmed bites involving persons or other animals. Of the six complaints:

• Three occurred in a residential area and three occurred in a park, both in on-leash and off-leash areas;
• All of the dogs who were victims of an attack were on leash;
• The persons injured were interjecting in the attack or simply riding a bike;
• Consistent in all of the attacks is that the owner of the offending dogs were not in control.

The frequency of aggressive dog complaint reported in the month of April has increased by 50 percent as compared to historical data. This increase is believed to be related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting increase in use of path and park areas and due to dogs who are not used to being socialized now interacting with other animals and pedestrians.

As a reminder to the public, The City of Medicine Hat Responsible Animal Ownership bylaw 3935 states:

DOGS IN OFF LEASH AREAS AND PARKS

No Owner may exercise a dog in an off-leash area while not restrained by

a Leash unless:

• the dog is under the control of a person at least eighteen (18) years

of age;

• While in an off-leash area, a person shall use the land in accordance with

any sign or signs which have been posted setting out the days, times and

manner in which a person is permitted to use the off-leash area.

THREATENING OR NUISANCE BEHAVIOURS

Any Owner of an Animal which:

• bites or chases a person or other animal;
• bites or chases any motor vehicle or bicycle;
• barks, howls or otherwise comports itself in such a fashion as to
• disturb any person, or in the opinion of a Bylaw Enforcement Officer

is likely to disturb any person;

• barks, howls or otherwise comports itself in such fashion as to alarm
• or cause any person to fear for their physical safety;
• bites a person causing a Severe Injury;
• causes the death of another Animal;
• causes any damage whatsoever to any property or any injury
• whatsoever to any person or other Animal;
• is at any time within the floral area of any Park or disturbs or destroys

any vegetation or Animal habitat in any Park;

• is at any time upon any cemetery property within the City;
• is at any time upon any property where the Animal is prohibited as
• indicated by a sign or other marking; or
• is guilty of an offence.

VICIOUS DOGS

If a Bylaw Enforcement Officer believes on reasonable and probable

grounds that a dog has:

• chased, injured or bitten a person or other Animal;
• damaged or destroyed any property;
• threatened or created the reasonable apprehension of a threat to a
• person or other animal;
• the Bylaw Enforcement Officer may seize and impound the dog at the Animal Control Shelter.

The Municipal Bylaw Enforcement Section will be increasing patrols of city parks and trails, as well as both on-leash and off-leash areas. Any complaints or concerns regarding. Should be directed to the Municipal Bylaw Enforcement Section, by calling 403-529-8481.

https://www.medicinehat.ca/government/bylaws/bylaws-in-force

Media Contact:

Heather Trail

Municipal Bylaw Enforcement Supervisor
Medicine Hat Police Service

Ph: 403-529-8436