On June 7, 2026, at approximately 11:42 p.m., members of the Medicine Hat Police Service responded to a report of a theft in progress at a restaurant in the 2500 block of Box Springs Boulevard NW. Two individuals allegedly left without paying for their meal.

Police arrived shortly afterward and located one adult female inside the establishment attempting to address the outstanding bill. The second male individual was located a short time later inside the restaurant and was taken into custody without incident.

During the arrest, officers recovered a backpack belonging to the male individual. A search incidental to arrest resulted in the seizure of a loaded .22 calibre rifle that had been modified, along with ammunition. The firearm was concealed within a carrying case inside the backpack.

Subsequent investigation revealed both individuals were bound by existing court-imposed conditions and were in breach of those conditions at the time of the incident. One individual was also found to be in possession of identification belonging to another person.

Resulting from this investigation, Jade Holt, age 26, of Medicine Hat, was charged with the following:

• Failure to comply with a release order (4 counts)
• Food fraud
• Possession of identity documents

Connor Brace, age 22, of Medicine Hat, was charged with the following:

• Breach of probation order (3 counts)
• Possession of a prohibited / restricted firearm contrary to a court order
• Carrying a concealed weapon
• Careless storage of a firearm
• Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
• Unauthorized possession of a firearm
• Food fraud
• Possession of a restricted firearm without a licence
• Possession of a loaded prohibited / restricted firearm

Both individuals were held for judicial interim release hearings and remanded into custody pending their next court appearance in Medicine Hat Provincial Court on June 9, 2026.

Media Contact:
A/S/Sgt. Darlene Garrecht
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8461