The following is an excerpt of the calls the Ponoka RCMP detachment responded to between March 22 and April 17.
March 22 – Police responded to a report of a break and enter at a residence. The owners left for work during the day and upon return for lunch it was found that the front door was wide open and belongings had been rummaged through. A passport and some jewellery were taken. The matter is still under investigation.
March 24 – Police were called to a break in alarm at a local business. The security company advised they could see a male walking through the secured lot and gathering items. Members attended and patrolled the perimeter. The male was seen on camera running from the property. Members called the K9 unit who attended and successfully tracked the male who was attempting to hide in the bushes. The male was taken into custody and charged appropriately.
March 28 – Ponoka McDonald’s reported a possible impaired driver going through the drive thru. The female driver was allegedly belligerent and argumentative with staff. Members attended, located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. As the staff suspected, the driver provided a breath sample which resulted in a fail. Open liquor cans were observed in the cup holders of the vehicle. The driver was charged and the vehicle impounded.
March 29 – Ponoka RCMP were called to a residence in Ponoka where a group of males was fighting outside. Members were able to de-escalate the situation as the group of males were fighting over rumors of stolen property on site. The members found no evidence on scene and no charges were laid.
March 30 – Ponoka RCMP received information that a red vehicle was stopped on the side of Highway 2 with a person changing a tire. The complainant believed that it was a traffic hazard as vehicles were slamming on their brakes. Members made patrols but the vehicle was not located and there were no further reports.
March 31 – Ponoka RCMP were alerted to a vehicle fire in the early morning. The vehicle was located in the rural area of Ponoka and when members arrived there was a completely burnt out Dodge Ram truck. Further checks showed that the vehicle was stolen out of Camrose. Nobody was located in the area.
April 6 – A member of the public reported a five-year-old child was left alone inside a parked van. Members attended and located the vehicle to discover that the child was in fact a giant teddy bear. No child was in the vehicle. All involved were updated.
April 10 – Ponoka RCMP received a report of an abandoned vehicle in the rural area of Ponoka. Members attended and located the truck, which appeared to have been abandoned for some time. Checks on the vehicle showed it was registered in B.C. and returned as stolen. No suspects or evidence was identified.
April 12 – A report was received of a possible body laying against a fence south of the Ponoka airport. Patrols were made in the area and it was determined to be a traveller who took a nap while en route to Red Deer.
April 12 – A report of an abandoned vehicle at the dog park resulted in the recovery of a stolen vehicle. Members attended the dog park after receiving a report of a black Ford Fiesta with two flat tires and a smashed-out window. The owner of the vehicle was advised of its recovery and tow.
April 14 – A Ponoka RCMP member conducted a traffic stop after observing a vehicle driving erratically. Further investigation showed that the driver was impaired and was on conditions not to be with the passenger of the vehicle. Appropriate charges were laid and the vehicle was towed.
April 15 – Ponoka RCMP responded to the Leland Hotel following a report of two males who were demanding off sales. When denied, the males went to the back alley. One of the males showed a firearm in his waistband to a patron, punched and stole the patron’s bottle of vodka. The males fled in a white four-door Pontiac. The matter is under investigation.
April 15 – The Ponoka hospital reported an unruly patient who was heavily intoxicated, yelling and swearing at the staff members. Members attended and removed the impatient patient and provided accommodations while sobering up.
April 17 – Ponoka RCMP responded to a report of an unwanted person loitering in the ATB bank entry. Members located a female who was cooperative with police. Officers provided a courtesy ride to a relative’s residence.