ARTICLES

The Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) is requesting public assistance to locate a missing woman, Sienna Elliott.

Sienna was reported as missing to the MHPS on September 26, 2023. Sienna has not been in contact with her family since July 26^th, 2023. While her last known address is in Medicine Hat, she was reportedly seen in Edmonton, AB and Swift Current, SK in July and may have been making her way to Vancouver, BC.

Sienna Elliott is described as an Indigenous female, 28 years old, slim build weighing approximately 120 lbs, 5’2” tall with brown hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information on Sienna’s whereabouts is asked to contact the MHPS at 403-529-8481 or the local police service of your jurisdiction.

Media Contact:

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

A Medicine Hat man has been charged with arson in connection to a suspicious fire.

On September 22, 2023, at 5:06 AM members of the Medicine Hat Police Service and Medicine Hat Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire in the 1300 block of 7^th Avenue NE, Medicine Hat. When crews arrived on scene a travel trailer and detached garage were fully engulfed in flames. The fire was quickly brought under control and extinguished, however not before the garage structure, travel trailer and contents were destroyed. The total value of the damage is estimated at $150,000.

The matter was quickly determined to be an arson and the ensuing investigation led to the arrest of a Joseph Haynes, 51, of Medicine Hat. Haynes has been charged with one count of arson and breaching the conditions of a prior undertaking. He was held for a Judicial Interim Release hearing and released pending his next court appearance which is scheduled for October 17, 2023.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone who was a witness to, or has additional surveillance footage of this incident, is asked to contact the Medicine Hat Police Service at 403-529-8481.

Media Contact

S/Sgt. Jason Graham
Criminal Investigation Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8421

A male is in custody facing weapons related offences following a report of a disturbance at a multi suite residence this morning.

On September 11 at approximately 12:10 AM, members of the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS), were called to the 900 block of 2^nd Street SE following a report of a male with a weapon damaging property and attempting to gain access to a suite inside of a multi-unit building.

Patrol members attended and were able to contain the male to a suite and identified he was in possession of a weapon. As the male threatened officers, the MHPS Tactical Team and crisis negotiators were called in to assist.

At approximately 3:30 AM officers were able to gain access to the residence and arrest the subject without incident or injuries to the male or responding officers.

Resulting from this incident the male is in custody facing criminal charges including:

• Possession of a Weapon Dangerous to the Public Peace
• Breach of Probation
• Mischief to Property, and
• Uttering Threats

The male will be held for a Judicial Interim Release hearing and cannot be identified until the conclusion of the hearing.

Media Contact

Staff Sergeant Trevor Humphries
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8416

The 2023 Medicine Hat Toy Run will be taking place on Saturday, September 9, 2023.

The Toy Run will be starting in Irvine, AB at approximately 11:30 AM, and travelling along the Trans Canada Highway with many participants riding motorcycles who are expected to arrive in Medicine Hat at around noon.

The group will travel northbound on Dunmore Road SE to 28 Street SE where participants will turn right and proceed to the Medicine Hat Stampede Grounds located at 2055 21 Avenue SE.

Short term traffic delays are expected along the route due to blocking of the intersections to allow the participants to proceed to the Medicine Hat Stampede Grounds.

The Medicine Hat Police Service and Redcliff Bylaw Services will be conducting an over dimensional load escort on September 6, 2023, starting at 9:00 am. The oversized load will start in the Redcliff northwest industrial area and proceeding east bound on highway #1 to the traffic lights located in Dunmore,AB . Both the west/east bound lanes of Highway #1 and the southwest light industrial area of Medicine Hat will be affected due to counterflowing of the over dimensional loads. Please try to avoid this route if possible, if unable please be patient and obey all directions from the Police, Bylaw and pilot vehicles involved with this move.

It’s time to head back to school and our Medicine Hat Police Service School Resource Officers (SRO) are excited for the start of a new school year!

The goal of the SRO’s is to provide a visible police presence in the schools and work with the entire school community to create a safe environment while building a positive relationship between youth and the police service.

Cst. Taylor Olenic will be returning for his second year at Medicine Hat High School and Cst. Brent Bohrn will be heading back to Crescent Heights High School for another year as well. Both officers are looking forward to catching up with everyone and meeting new students and staff.

Cst. Matt Sanders is a new SRO this year and is assigned to Monsignor McCoy High School, St Mary’s School, and Notre Dame Academy. Cst. Sanders has been a police officer for 16 years, and his most recent assignment was in the Patrol Section. Cst. Sanders has previously been assigned to the Mountain Bike Unit, K9 Unit, and ALERT Section.

The SRO’s have offices within their schools or can be reached at:

Medicine Hat High School – Cst. Taylor Olenic – taylor.olenic@mhps.ca Ph: 403-928-7570

Monsignor McCoy High School – Cst. Matt Sanders – matthew.sanders@mhps.ca Ph: 403-458-1403

Crescent Heights High School – Cst. Brent Bohrn – brent.bohrn@mhps.ca Ph:403-458-0209

Have a great year everyone!

Media Contact:
Acting Sgt. Brent Bohrn
Community Support Unit
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8451

As student prepare to head back to school this week and next the Medicine Hat Police Service will be providing extra attention to school and playground zones. In Medicine Hat, all school and playground zones are signed as playground zones only, and a 30 km/hr speed limits is in effect from 7:30 AM until 9:00 PM all year round.

One of the most common concerns that arise when schools are in session are complaints related to parking at/near the schools. The infractions are often due to parking near or blocking crosswalks, blocking driveways and parking near fire hydrants or parking where signs prohibit. Fines begin at $50 for Medicine Hat bylaw offences and can be as high as $810 for Traffic Safety Act offences.

In the excitement of returning to school, children may forget basic road safety rules as they walk, bicycle, and ride the bus to school. Throughout the province, traffic injuries are the leading cause of death and a leading cause of hospitalization to children younger than the age of 14 years.

To keep children safe, motorists should do the following:

• Use caution when approaching intersections or mid-block crosswalks. Parked or stopped vehicles may hide a pedestrian who is crossing the road. The fine for failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk or passing a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk to permit a pedestrian to cross is $810 and four demerit points.

• Watch for the school safety patrol in their orange vests and stop as directed. Patrollers play a vital role in directing children safely across the street.

Back to school also means an increase in school bus traffic throughout the city. Safety at or near bus stops is also a high priority. Keep the following in mind:

• Alternating flashing amber lights mean a bus is slowing down to stop. Do the same.
• Motorists should always watch for children crossing the road and be prepared to slow down or stop.
• Driver courtesy goes a long way. By simply being alert and cautious when approaching a school bus, you are contributing to school bus safety.

Let’s work together to as a community make our roads safer for everyone! With your help, we can ensure our children’s’ return to school is a safe one.

For more information contact:

Sgt. Stacey Fishley
Traffic Unit
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8471

Two people have been arrested and multiple vehicles have been recovered as the result of a joint investigation between ALERT and the Medicine Hat Police Service.

ALERT’s Medicine Hat-based Regional Property Crimes unit has recovered a stolen motorhome, two trucks, and a cargo trailer, with a total estimated value of $140,000. The seizures took place on August 18, 2023, at Kin Coulee Park in Medicine Hat and a rural property.

“Working with our policing partners across southeast Alberta, our specialized team is able to share criminal intelligence and target the most prolific property crime offenders. In this case we were able to locate the stolen motorhome and have it back to its rightful owners in a timely manner,” said Staff Sergeant Ryan Thorburn, ALERT Medicine Hat.

The investigation began after ALERT spotted the stolen motorhome at Kin Coulee Park. The motorhome had been reported stolen earlier that same day to Brooks RCMP. Two suspects were identified and arrested.

Further investigation led ALERT to search a rural property, located approximately 50 kilometres northwest of Medicine Hat, where two stolen pick-up trucks were seized. One of the trucks was previously reported stolen in Etzikom, Alta. and the other from Medicine Hat.

ALERT’s investigation is ongoing and additional suspects are being pursued. ALERT is also working to return the stolen property to its rightful owners.

Kathleen Rose, 25 years old, and Kayla Thompson, 25 years old, both from Medicine Hat, were each charged with possession of stolen property.

Media inquiries may be directed to:

Mike Tucker
Communications Director
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
Ph: 780-509-3015

Over the next couple of weeks Hatters can expect to see an increased presence of Bylaw officers in city parks and on the trail system.

The officers will be providing special attention to dog owners, making sure that the provisions of the Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaws #3935 are being followed in a manner that promotes the safety of these areas for all users.

A few of the provisions dog owners should be aware of include:

• Dogs may only be off leash on trails that are in designated as off leash areas, and when off leash must still be under the owners control.
• Owners must immediately pick up after their dog and carry a means of cleaning up dog defecation whenever they have their dog in public.
• Dogs must be licensed and have a valid license tag on them.
• Dogs must be prevented from chasing wildlife as it is dangerous and illegal.
• All trail users must be respectful of others and share the trails.

Officers will be keeping an eye out for opportunities to celebrate those owners who are modelling responsible pet ownership and those individuals will be provided with a small token of appreciation for their diligence.

Media Contact:

A/Supervisor Colin Heyens
Municipal Bylaw Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8436

Two Medicine Hat males have been charged in connection with an early morning robbery earlier this week.

During the morning of August 15^th at around 5:00 AM, members of the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) responded to a report of a disturbance at a hotel located on Redcliff Drive SW. Upon arrival officers observed a robbery in progress. A male, later identified as Jeffery Jefferies, was located, and arrested on scene. The MHPS Investigation Section took over the investigation and identified another male, Joshua Buffalo-Calf McConnell, as being involved.

Resulting from this investigation, Jeffries and Buffalo-Calf McConnell were both subsequently charged with the following offenses.

Jeffery Jefferies (age 37 years, of Medicine Hat, AB) has been charged with:

• Robbery
• Wearing a mask during the commission of an offence
• Public Mischief
• Breach of Probation
• Possess Break in Instruments
• Possession of a Controlled Substance
• Possession of a Stolen Credit Card

Joshua Buffalo-Calf McConnell (age 26 years, of Medicine Hat, AB) has been charged with:

• Robbery
• Wearing a mask during the commission of an offence
• Breach of a weapon prohibition x 2
• Unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon
• Breach of a Release Order x 2
• Possession of a Stolen Credit Card x 2
• Possession of Stolen Property Under $52,000

Both Jefferies and Buffalo-Calf McConnell were held for a judicial interim release hearing and held in custody pending their next appearance in Provincial Court.

Media Contact:

S/Sgt. Jason Graham
Criminal Investigation Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8421