A total of 23 criminal charges are being laid against three youths and one adult, including possession of stolen property over $5000.00, breaching probation order, unlawful possession of firearms and several firearms offences.
While police were attempting to locate a youth reported missing on Dec. 19, another complaint was received of a male who had been picked up in a car stolen by three males, one of which was the missing youth.
As police were searching for the youths in the stolen 2015 Toyota Camry, information was received that they may be around the downtown area. With the assistance of the RCMP helicopter, Ponoka RCMP located the stolen vehicle in the parking lot of a local business. The three male youths were arrested and taken into custody. The fourth male was later arrested in a vehicle, with two firearms.
Samurai sword bad for man on drugs
A little after midnight on Dec. 14, RCMP received a complaint from a female that her 41-year-old son who has been using illegal drugs was not behaving normal. Police learned that the male was hallucinating and running around with a samurai sword pretending people are on the property. The male, who had a previous record and was on conditions, was arrested and charged for mischief and failing to comply with his conditions. A bail hearing was conducted and the male did not speak to bail and was remanded in custody until his court date.
Empty ATM machine stolen and found opened by blow torch
RCMP received a complaint of a break-and-enter at a downtown bar in the morning of Dec. 21, around 7:45. The suspects broke a window to gain access to the bar and stole the ATM machine, which was understood to have been not stocked. Less than an hour later, police received a report that the ATM machine was located on Township Road 424 and Range Rd 271. Members attended and found the ATM machine opened by blow torch and damaged.
Female student threatens to stab fellow student
A 14-year-old female was charged for uttering threats and breaching conditions on Dec. 18 after RCMP School Resource Officer was informed of a threat of stabbing directed to a student at one of the schools in Ponoka area. Police attended the school and the subject of the complaint was later located within town limits. She was charged with uttering threats and breaching her conditions. Further investigation led to another 15-year-old male youth being charged for breaching his conditions, and possession of a weapon from an incident that occurred the night before.
If you have information, please call the Ponoka RCMP at 403-783-4472. If you want to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or by internet at www.tipsubmit.com. You do not have to reveal your identity to Crime Stoppers, and if you provide information to Crime Stoppers that leads to an arrest(s), you may be eligible for a cash reward.