MHPS drone vital in arrest of robbery suspect

By Medicine Hat News on December 31, 2022.

A Medicine Hat Police Service drone was instrumental in the search for and arrest of the suspect in a Dec. 29 attempted armed robbery.

The incident began at approximately 9 p.m., when a male brandishing a weapon entered a business in the 0-hundred block of Seventh Street SE and demanded money. The male was unsuccessful in his attempts to collect money and left the business shortly thereafter, but prior to arrival of police.

Upon arrival at the scene, police set up a containment area they believed the suspect to still be within, and with use of the drone, managed to track the suspect’s heat signature, allowing officers to safely arrest the suspect.

A 31-year-old male was arrested and is to be charged with attempted robbery with an offensive weapon and one count of breach of probation. The male remains in custody awaiting a Judicial Interim Release bail hearing. The male’s identity is not being released at this time, however police did state the male has no fixed address.

Drones have been part of MHPS operations for several years, says Patrol Section Sgt. Rod Thompson. They are used with the goal of enhancing police and public safety during potentially volatile situations.

6
-5