Man faces charges after attempted river evasion of police

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on March 25, 2026.

A 50-year-old man, whose name has not been released, is facing several charges after he was allegedly involved in an assault and then tried to flee from police.

On Sunday members of the Medicine Hat Police Service Patrol Section responded to a report of an assault in the Riverside area and upon arrival learned the suspect had already fled the scene.

One officer soon located the suspect nearby and began a foot chase. Eventually the suspect jumped into the South Saskatchewan River in an attempt to escape arrest.

An officer, concerned for the suspect’s safety, entered the river and was able to bring the man safety back out to shore where he was arrested.

The man has been charged with assault, assault by choking, resisting arrest and unlawful confinement.

The suspect remains in police custody and is scheduled to appear before the courts Thursday.