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Thefts and collisions keep Ponoka RCMP occupied

Police searching for suspects in two thefts, fined two drivers in collisions
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An attempted smash and grab at Hammy’s Spirits in the early morning hours of Aug. 15 was thwarted when the suspect couldn’t gain entry after ramming the front door with a vehicle. Photo submitted

Last week was busy for the Ponoka RCMP detachment with members responding to alarms, looking into crimes and handing out fines for traffic incidents.

Back on Aug. 14, RCMP responded to a pair of reported break and enters at rural residences north of Ponoka.

The first occurred around 5 p.m. at a home in the area of Township 441 and Range Road 263. Police found that unknown suspects forced their way in to the house and stole a number of items, including some firearms. The other break and enter took place an hour later approximately two miles east along Range Road 261 where a number of items were reportedly taken.

Both cases remain under investigation and police are searching for witnesses and any suspects.

And, just before 5 a.m. on Aug. 15, police responded to an alarm at Hammy’s Spirits and found the sliding door had been pushed in with part of a wooden barricade left behind. Further investigation, combined with video surveillance, identified a male wearing a dark hood and gloves drove a vehicle into the entrance and knocked the doors off its guides.

The man did attempt to gain entry to the store, but was unsuccessful and then drove away.

Vandalism

Around midnight on Aug. 17, officers went to the area near the Ponoka Scout Hall to follow up on a report a vehicle had been damaged. Upon arrival, police found a window along with the headlights and taillights of the vehicle had been broken and was pushed into a tree toward the river. The investigation into the incident is continuing.

Fines for failure

Two traffic accidents recently resulted in a pair of drivers netting tickets worth $233 each.

RCMP responded on Aug. 18 to a two vehicle collision at Township Road 422 and Range Road 254. Investigation found a Dodge pickup truck heading west on 422 failed to obey a yield sign, which led to it colliding with the side of a Dodge Caravan heading north on 254.

The pickup truck experienced significant damage to the driver’s side, meaning the driver had to get out of the vehicle through the rear window. That driver was taking to Ponoka hospital by ambulance and later charged with failing to obey a traffic control device.

Two days later, police once again were on scene of a collision along Township Road 422, this time at the intersection with Highway 2A.

An investigation found that a Pontiac G6 car heading east on 422 had pulled out onto the highway in front of a northbound SUV, resulting in a significant collision.

A female passenger in the car was unconscious when RCMP arrived. The female along with the car’s driver and a passenger from the SUV were all taken to hospital with undetermined injuries. An update on the condition of the three people was not available at press time.

The driver of the car was charged with failing to proceed safely after stopping.