By CHAT News Today

Medicine Hat man charged with extortion

Nov 9, 2017 | 11:21 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — The Medicine Hat Police Service has laid one charge against a Medicine Hat man in connection with an extortion investigation last month.

Robert Hoefman, 55, was arrested on Wednesday and charged with one count of extortion. He made his first court appearance on Thursday. He’s expected to undergo a psychiatric assessment and is due back in court on November 21st for a bail hearing.

Inspector Brent Secondiak said Hoefman wasn’t known to officers.

“I can just tell you it was extremely serious, threats of violence and it was one of the most violent ones that I’ve personally ever seen,” Secondiak said. “But the details around the extortion are something we’re not releasing at this time.”

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Last month, police informed the public about a possible connection between the extortion investigation and the homicide of James Satre. The extortion investigation began on October 10. Satre, 63, was found dead on Mill Street and Smelter Avenue on October 11.

Police say they have not yet definitively confirmed if the two files are connected, and the Major Crimes Unit continues to investigate.

Anyone with information related to either investigation is asked to contact the MHPS at 403-581-1050 or provide a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.