Ponoka RCMP responded to a complaint of fraud via money-gram.
A male suspect, pretending to be the grandson of the complainant, advised he was in Mexico and said they were in a car accident and needed money to pay for the accident and that they also missed their flight.
They requested $2,700 via a money-gram that was to be sent to two Mexican lawyers. It is unknown if the money was sent.
Police advise that if anyone receives calls of this nature please contact local RCMP or if one has not lost money but suspect they were targeted, contact the Canadian Anti-fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or www.antifraudcentre.ca.
If you receive a suspicious e-mail soliciting your financial information, advise the bank/agency involved. If you are a victim of fraud, contact your local police, and Canadian Anti-fraud Centre.
For more information visit: www.rcmp.gc.ca.
Highway 2 collision
On Jan. 13 the Ponoka RCMP responded to a four vehicle collision on Highway 2 at Township Road 424.
A 1989 Nissan attempted to pass a semi unit and lost control of his vehicle striking the tire of the semi unit.
The Nissan then came to rest sideways in the driving lane with no hazard lights activated causing a red pickup and a blue Mazda to swerve to avoid the collision. The blue Mazda lost control and ended up in the median with damage to its front and driver side.
The rear fender of the red pickup clipped the immobile Nissan. The driver of the Nissan; a twenty-four-year old Calgary man was charged with operating an uninsured motor vehicle on highway, operating a motor vehicle without subsisting registration and adult learner driving motor vehicle without proper supervision.
He is to appear in court March 8.
Collision at 51 Street
Luckily there were minor injuries in a collision between a Town of Ponoka electrical pickup and a sedan on Jan. 11.
A witness stated they saw a northbound sedan on 51 Street allegedly cross the intersection of 53 Avenue without stopping at the Stop Sign.
It is believed the eastbound Town of Ponoka pickup, which had the right of way, attempted to avoid a collision with the sedan but struck the front side of the vehicle pushing it into the sidewalk area.
Rural crime files
Reported 2018-01-09 the mailboxes at Elkhorn Hall along Rge. Rd. 270 had the latches of about 20 boxes cut off. This occurred sometime between 2017-01-05 at 1400 hours and discovered 2018-01-09. One complainant believes he may have had mail stolen, but wasn’t sure what.
Mischief to mailbox
A Mountie attended Secondary Highway 792 and Township Road 440 after receiving a report of mischief to a mailbox on Jan. 9. One lock was cut off the complainant’s box. No other damage noticed.
Lights removed from sign
Mischief occurred to an overhead sign at a residence in the area of Range Road 260 north of Highway 53 sometime between Jan. 11 at 9 p.m. and Jan. 12 at 11 a.m.
The complainant reported the Christmas lights were ripped down and rocks were found at the location.
