By Scott Roblin

Police considering bomb threats to be connected, release audio of suspect

Nov 10, 2017 | 9:38 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Medicine Hat Police are considering four separate bomb threats made since October 27 to be potentially connected and have now released audio of a suspect to the public.

This after another ‘hoax’ bomb threat was called in on Thursday evening at the CIBC branch on 8th Street just after 2:00 pm after a complaint from a bank employee.

The bank was evacuated as a precaution, but police were able to clear the building and determine there was no threat involved.

Along with the CIBC branch, a Servus Credit Union in Crescent Heights has also been the victim of a number of bomb threats over the last few weeks as well.

Medicine Hat Police said they’re considering the same suspect is behind each of these threats, but added they haven’t ruled out multiple suspects or ‘copycat’ offences.

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Medicine Hat Police S/Sgt. Cory Both said it’s highly unusual to see so many similar cases being reported in one neighbourhood such as Crescent Heights.

“It’s concerning and it’s something we’re not used to here,” said Both. “What the motivation is or what’s causing it, we have no idea. But like anyone else, we’d like to get to the bottom of it and bring it to an end.”

There is also no word on a possible motivation for these bomb threats, and there is no connection yet between the recent threats and an armed robbery at the nearby ATB Financial branch on Thursday evening.

Police have released an audio recording of one of the suspects hoping to gather tips from the public.

“The audio is from one of the incidents, so we wanted to release that to the public in hopes that we can generate some suspects by someone recognizing the voice,” said Both. “We do have the web tip line set up and also a telephone tip line. Anyone that recognizes the voice, they can call in and we can follow that up.”

Both said Medicine Hat Police are putting as many officers on this case as they can, while dealing with other major cases across the city.

“We’re putting a significant amount of resources into it because it’s a community harm risk and it causes a great deal of concern for the citizens of this city,” said Both. “So, we’re working hard to get to the bottom of it, but we also got to balance it with competing priorities as well. As you know, we got an active homicide investigation and our regular case load, which is always quite onerous. So, we’re putting as much man power into it as we can afford, given our current case load.”

Anyone with information about the bomb threats is asked to call Medicine Hat Police at 403-529-8481 or visit medicinehatpolice.com.