Medicine Hat police seize 650 pounds of stolen copper, drugs, weapons
A search warrant executed with the Tactical Team at a southeast home led to two arrests following a months-long investigation into copper wire theft.
Why it matters
Copper theft from infrastructure can drive up repair costs for businesses, expenses that are often passed on to consumers.
Medicine Hat police charged two residents after a Criminal Investigation Section probe into alleged copper wire theft led to a search warrant at a home on Redwood Place S.E. on Oct. 8. Investigators had reviewed recycling records, surveillance footage and conducted neighbourhood inquiries before the Tactical Team supported execution of the warrant.
During the search, officers seized about 650 pounds of copper wire, estimated to have a scrap value of roughly $5,200, along with a wire-stripping machine and processing tools. Police also found cocaine, methamphetamine, a conducted energy weapon, a prohibited knife and a replica handgun, plus other property believed connected to separate theft investigations.
Brian Aske, 43, and Chelsea Grisbrook, 34, both of Medicine Hat, were arrested on outstanding warrants without incident. Each has been charged with possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of stolen property over $5,000, possession for the purpose of trafficking stolen property and possession of a controlled substance. Aske faces an additional breach of a release order and four counts of breaching firearms prohibition orders, while Grisbrook faces two breach of release order counts.
Aske was remanded into custody while Grisbrook was released on conditions; both are due in Medicine Hat court on Nov. 5. Police say the investigation is ongoing as they work to identify other potential victims connected to the recovered items.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.