ARTICLES

Response to a shoplifting complaint leads to arrest of weapons offence and bail violations

On September 25, 2025, at approximately 11:00AM, members of the Medicine Hat Police Service Patrol Section responded to a report of a shoplifting complaint at a business on Strachan Road SE.

During the investigation, officers identified a male suspect who was subject to an outstanding arrest warrant. The individual was found to be in possession of a concealed replica semi-automatic pistol resembling a law enforcement sidearm. Further investigation revealed the suspect was also in possession of a stolen identity document.

Resulting from this investigation, Adam Massini, age 40, of Lethbridge, has been charged with the following offences:

• Failure to comply with a release order (three counts)
• Disobeying a court order
• Carrying a concealed weapon
• Possession of stolen identity documents

Mr. Massini was held for a judicial interim release hearing and subsequently remanded into custody. His next court appearance is scheduled for September 29, 2025, at Medicine Hat Provincial Court.

Media Contact:

S/Sgt Rod Thompson
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8461

The Medicine Hat Police Service has concluded an investigation that has resulted in multiple charges being laid against a local resident.

Nola BESPLUG, 46, of Medicine Hat has been charged with:

• Fraud Over $5,000
• Theft Over $5,000
• Possession of Proceeds of Crime

The charges stem from an investigation that was initiated in January 2025 after concerns were raised about funds collected for a youth hockey program.  The offences occurred between April 2024 and March 2025, during which time, Besplug was the Manager of the SE Selects team.

Besplug’s activities negatively impacted the youth hockey community and involved multiple victims across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Montana.

Besplug is scheduled to appear in Provincial Court on October 7, 2025.

As this matter is now before the courts, no further details will be released at this time.

Media Contact

S/Sgt Darren Lole
Criminal Investigation Section
Medicine Hat Police Service

Ph: (403) 529 8421

On September 16, 2025, at approximately 4:00 PM, members of the Medicine Hat Police Service Patrol Section responded to the 800 block of 14th Street NE after receiving a report of a male being chased by another male armed with a knife and an axe.

While officers were speaking with the complainant, the suspect, carrying both weapons, approached police and the complainant in an aggressive manner. Despite multiple commands to relinquish his weapons, the suspect refused to comply. Consequently, an officer deployed a single less lethal projectile round, which successfully prevented the suspect from advancing further. The suspect was subsequently taken into custody without incident and assessed by EMS personnel.

The investigation determined that the accused and the victim are known to each other, and this was not a random attack. No injuries were sustained by either the victim or any officers; the accused suffered only minor injuries.

Resulting from this investigation a 45-year-old male from Lethbridge has been charged with:

-              Break and enter to commit assault with a weapon,

-              Assault,

-              Uttering threats,

-              Possession of a weapon dangerous to the public.

The individual was held in custody pending a judicial interim release hearing, after which he was remanded into custody to appear before provincial court on September 18, 2025.

Media Contact:

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

On September 15, 2025, at approximately 9:19 PM, members of the Medicine Hat Police Service responded to a report of a robbery in progress at a liquor store located on Dunmore Road SE. A male suspect had entered the business armed with a knife and demanded money from the cashier. During the incident, the suspect assaulted the employee, who sustained injuries in the struggle. The victim was treated on scene by paramedics and later attended the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital for additional medical care.  

The suspect had fled the area on foot prior to police arrival.  Patrol members, the Forensic Identification Unit, K9, and drone support were immediately deployed, and the Major Crimes Section assumed carriage of the investigation. Video evidence from several businesses was obtained, which led to the formal identification of a suspect.

On September 16, 2025, 37-year-old Guillaume Carignan of Medicine Hat was arrested.  A search warrant was later executed at his residence, where items of evidentiary value were seized.

Carignan has been charged with the following offences:

• Robbery
• Assault with a weapon causing bodily harm
• Uttering threats to cause death
• Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
• Resisting arrest

Carignan was held for a bail hearing and has since been remanded into custody. His next court appearance is scheduled for September 18, 2025, at the Alberta Court of Justice. The Medicine Hat Police Service extends its thanks to the members of the public who assisted and to the local businesses whose video evidence was instrumental in advancing this investigation.

Media Contact
S/Sgt Darren Lole
Criminal Investigation Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8421

On September 16, 2025, at approximately 09:30 AM, members of the Medicine Hat Police Service Patrol Section responded to a report regarding a suspicious vehicle in the 900 block of Elm St SE. Upon arrival, officers arrested a male who was wanted on an outstanding warrant. During the arrest, the individual was found to be in possession of methamphetamine. A subsequent search of his vehicle revealed the presence of a .22 caliber semiautomatic GSG MP40 with a suppressor, ammunition, a taser, and two cans of bear spray.

The individual has been identified as 58-year-old Clinton Mayer of Bellevue, Alberta, who is known to police and is affiliated with the Rock Machine motorcycle club. Mayer has been charged with the following offences:

• Unlawful possession of a firearm
• Unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon (two counts)
• Possession of methamphetamine

Mayer was held in custody pending a judicial interim release hearing, after which he was remanded into custody to appear before provincial court on September 18, 2025.

Media Contact:

S/Sgt. Trevor Humphries
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8461

At approximately 8:30 PM on September 9^th, emergency crews responded report of a motor vehicle collision that had occurred in the 3300 block of Dunmore Road SE.

Officers on scene determined that a small SUV travelling south on Dunmore Rd SE had lost control and collided with two northbound vehicles before driving into the front of a building causing significant damage to the vehicle and the building.

Emergency personnel extricated an 80-year-old male from the vehicle. The man appeared to have suffered a medical event and was transported to hospital for treatment of his injuries.

Media Contact:
On Duty Patrol Staff Sergeant
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8461

The Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying a man involved in a robbery on September 1, 2025.

At approximately 9:00 p.m., an unidentified male entered a liquor store in southwest Medicine Hat. He was armed with a weapon and demanded money from the cashier before fleeing the scene on foot.

Attached are photos of the suspect, including images of a ball cap resembling the one worn during the offence.

Anyone with information is asked to contact MHPS Sgt. Kurtis Ladouceur by phone at 403 529 8481.

Media Contact:

S/Sgt. Darren Lole
Criminal Investigation Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: (403) 529-8421

On September 4, 2025, at approximately 1:44 p.m., Police, Fire, and EMS responded to a motor vehicle collision involving injuries at the intersection of Box Springs Road NW and Saamis Drive NW.

A 62-year-old male motorcyclist was traveling north on Box Springs Road NW when a 23-year-old female driving a van, heading southbound, attempted to turn left onto Saamis Drive NW. The van turned in front of the motorcycle, resulting in a collision.

The motorcyclist sustained serious injuries and was transported to hospital. The driver and passenger of the van suffered minor injuries. Speed and impairment are not believed to be factors in the collision.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact Cst Van Mulligen the Medicine Hat Police Service at 403-529-8481.

Media Contact:

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

UPDATE:

The Traffic Response Unit of the Medicine Hat Police Service has been called out to assist and will be coordinating the investigation. Please expect delays in the area for several hours.

Emergency crews are currently on the scene of a serious injury MVC at Box Srings Road at Saamis Dr NW. Westbound Highway 1 traffic is requested to avoid making a right turn onto Box Springs Rd NW.

Please obey directions of police and flag persons that are in the area.

- Update -

Emergency crews are clear of the scene.

 - -

Emergency crews are currently on the scene of an injury crash at Gehring Rd at South Ridge Dr SE  The motoring public is requested to avoid the area, if possible.

Please obey directions of police and flag persons that are in the area and expect delays.