A Medicine Hat man has been charged with extortion in connection to an investigation that police have said may be linked to a murder in the city.
Police say Robert Hoefman, 55, was arrested Nov. 8 and is scheduled to appear in court today.
An extortion investigation was started on Oct. 10. The following day the body of James Satee, 64, was discovered in an alley near the intersection of Mill Street and Smelter Avenue. On Oct. 25 police said the two investigations may be linked. Police say it has still not been definitively confirmed the cases are connected and the major crimes unit continues to investigate both offences.
On Oct. 23, police received additional information potentially linking the two investigations and also “raised concerns that there is a threat to cause death to unknown citizens.”
As such, police are urging the public to be vigilant, report any suspicious activity to police immediately, and take measures for personal security —such as being aware of your surroundings, being cautious when in secluded places and when walking alone, and applying general home security principles.
On Oct. 25, McGrogan said “I can tell you in previous homicides, as you know, we’ve reported to the community that ‘You know what, you’re not at risk, it’s drug related, it’s lifestyle related, whatever … we’re not able to do that at this time,” said McGrogan, saying they don’t know the extent of the risk at this time.
“There’s just been a threat to potential further harm, and we have a duty to inform our community when there’s a risk.”
Police are asking anyone with information related to either investigation to contact them at 403-581-1050 or provide at tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
