Medicine Hat pair charged after 650 lb copper wire seizure

Two Medicine Hat residents have been charged after a Medicine Hat Police Service investigation into alleged copper wire theft and trafficking led to a search warrant and the seizure of drugs, weapons and hundreds of pounds of copper from a residence on Redwood Place SE.

The MHPS said in a news release that members of the Criminal Investigation Section received information that individuals were allegedly stealing copper wire and selling it to recycling facilities for profit. The investigation included a review of recycling records, surveillance footage and neighbourhood inquiries.

On Oct. 8, MHPS members supported by the Tactical Team executed a search warrant at the residence. Two individuals with outstanding warrants were arrested without incident.

Police seized approximately 650 pounds of copper wire, a wire stripping machine and tools used to process copper, cocaine and methamphetamine, a conducted energy weapon, a prohibited knife, a replica handgun and additional property believed to be connected to theft investigations. The estimated scrap value of the copper seized at the residence is approximately $5,200.

Brian Aske, 43, of Medicine Hat, is charged with possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of stolen property over $5,000, possession for the purpose of trafficking stolen property, possession of a controlled substance, breach of a release order, and four counts of breaching firearms prohibition orders. Aske was remanded into custody.

Chelsea Grisbrook, 34, of Medicine Hat, is charged with possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of stolen property over $5,000, possession for the purpose of trafficking stolen property, possession of a controlled substance, and two counts of breaching a release order. Grisbrook was released on a release order.

The release noted that while copper can be sold for its scrap value, the costs to victims are much higher. "Businesses can face significant repair costs, equipment replacement and operational disruptions when copper is stolen from infrastructure and industrial sites," the release said. "These costs are passed onto consumers."

The investigation remains ongoing as police work to identify potential victims associated with the recovered copper and other suspected stolen property.

Grisbrook is scheduled to appear in Medicine Hat court on Nov. 5, 2026. None of the allegations have been proven in court.