Ponoka police and firefighters were called to the scene of a home on fire at 4 a.m. on May 26.
A barn and house were in flames southeast of Ponoka on Rosas Road. The home did not have any utilities hooked to it as no one has lived there for quite some time.
The RCMP found three people at the home when they arrived; two people had called emergency services to the fire and one was a 38-year-old woman who was a former resident of the home.
Police and firefighters on scene said it was clear the fire did not start naturally. Through some investigation police have arrested the former resident who was charged with arson.
Speedster on motorcycle caught
The Ponoka Integrated Traffic Services worked to nab a 17-year-old boy who was travelling on a black motorcycle at high speeds May 24 at 6:45 p.m.
The boy tried to evade sheriffs and police three times before they were able to acquire a license plate of the motorcycle to locate the owner.
The first time the bike was clocked at a speed of 155 km/h heading eastbound on Highway 53 near Highway 2, the driver then accelerated to 185 km/h after seeing a sheriff. A police officer was called to assist, but at no time was the rider pursued out of concern for public safety.
A bike matching the description was then seen stopped along the side of the road by another traffic unit, but the rider fled on the bike before he could be questioned. Members of the Ponoka Integrated Traffic Service were able to get the license plate information after he was seen a third time. They contacted the owner who assisted in locating the youth and the bike, which was hidden in the area.
The rider has been charged with two counts of fleeing from police, one count of dangerous driving, and one count of driving a motorcycle without a motorcycle operator’s license.
Mailbox vandalism
Police responded to a report of damage to a mailbox on Township Road 422 on May 22. Sometime between May 21 and 22 culprits appear to have cut the rear latch on the mailbox and burned the contents in a pile.
Vehicle rollover
Emergency crews attended the scene of a 2006 Ford Explorer on Highway 2 near Secondary Highway 611 that had collided and flipped May 23 at noon.
The 38-year-old male driver reported to police that he fell asleep. The day before Lacombe EMS crews also treated him for passing out at work.
Cars racing
Ponoka RCMP responded to a call of two cars racing at 12:15 a.m. on 48 Avenue and 40 Street May 24.
With the assistance of a nearby resident, police were able to find and charge one of the drivers involved. He was charged with stunting and will have to pay a $402 ticket.
If you have information on any crime call Ponoka RCMP at 403-783-4472 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
By Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye