Thanks to the help of a rural Ponoka resident RCMP were able to locate and arrest two suspects with stolen property.
Police say the incident occurred in the early morning hours - 4:27 a.m. - of May 11 after the resident reported that two bicycles had been stolen from his yard.
The witness said the suspects had broken into his house and after he chased them they fled on the bicycles.
The men were found to be in possession of several stolen items ranging from electronic equipment to Pizza Pops.
As the investigation continued other Ponoka residents reported thefts from their cars and homes. A total of 17 different complaints were lodged with the RCMP.
Police say an active investigation is ongoing and early indications are that all incidents are related to the two subjects arrested.
One 20-year-old man and one youth, both from Maskwacis, are facing criminal charges including break and enter and commit theft, mischief and possession of property obtained by crime.
Neither accused can be named by the RCMP as charges have not been sworn yet against the adult, and the youth cannot be named according to the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Both suspects are released from police custody with a promise to appear in Provincial Court in mid June.
If you have information about this investigation, please call the Ponoka RCMP at 403-783-4472, or call your local police detachment. If you want to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), by internet at www.tipsubmit.com, or by SMS.