Medicine Hat Police tackle large-scale copper wire theft

Medicine Hat Police have laid charges on two people on yet another copper wire theft investigation; the third in exactly one month.

MHPS investigated a reported break and enter at a business in the northwest Box Springs area on November 4th. The suspects gained access to a secured compound and removed large quantities of copper wire and copper components from industrial equipment. The theft caused significant damage and substantial disruption to business operations, with damages exceeding $300,000.

Evidence led investigators to a residence in Redcliff where a search warrant was executed the next day. Police arrested two males and recovered the stolen copper, equipment, small quantity of fentanyl and a prohibited firearm along with ammunition.

40-year-old Jordan Street and 50-year-old Shane Yanke are facing numerous charges and are remanded into custody:

Jordon Street, 40, of Redcliff, Alberta, is charged with:

• Unauthorized possession of a prohibited firearm
• Careless storage of a firearm
• Knowing possession of a prohibited firearm
• Unauthorized possession of a prohibited firearm with readily accessible ammunition
• Three counts of Fail to Comply with a Release Order
• Two counts of Fail to Comply with a Probation Order

Shane Yanke, 50, of Redcliff, Alberta, is charged with:

• Possession of Stolen Property Under $5,000
• Trafficking in Stolen Property
• Possession of a Controlled Substance
• Fail to Comply with a Release Order

Street’s reportedly had an appearance at the Alberta Court of Justice on Monday, November 9th, while Yanke’s next date is on December 1, 2026.