The man charged with robbing the CIBC bank this summer has pleaded guilty to three counts of armed robbery at a recent court session in Cold Lake.
Joseph Rodgers’ sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 29 in the same provincial court.
Ponoka man charged with assault after pushing woman
Police have a charged a 61-year-old Ponoka man last week after an altercation severed a woman’s artery in her head.
A call came to police from a man reporting that a 45-year-old woman fell and hit her head on the floor of his home, which caused her to bleed. Upon arrival, police found that the woman had a large amount of blood on the back of her neck. She declined an ambulance but accepted transportation by a Mountie to the Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre to be treated.
The doctor in attendance found an artery in her head was severed and blood was said to be pouring out of her. She required stitches to deal with the cut.
After further questioning, police were able to determine the man, who claimed there was no foul play, actually pushed the woman to the ground and injured her. Both had consumed alcohol at the time.
The man was charged with assault causing bodily harm.
Railway crossing damage
The railway crossing posts on 50 Street east of 57 Avenue were reported damaged Nov. 12 at midnight. It is believed a vehicle struck the posts several times causing the posts to break. Town employees also advised police that the town shop gates received extensive damage the same night.
There are no witnesses but police are investigating.
Man pays cab fee for AWOL friend
A cab driver almost lost $70 Nov. 16 at 3:30 a.m. after a man ran from his cab and did not pay for the fare. The cab driver reported the incident to police and showed them footprints he had followed to a location near the Reddi Mart on Highway 53.
It is believed the culprit entered another vehicle and drove off. Luckily for the cab driver, he had dropped off a friend of the suspect earlier and police asked the man for his friend’s identity.
The man would not provide the AWOL (Absent without leave) friend’s name but instead chose to pay the fee to the cab driver.
Theft from rural mailbox
Ponoka RCMP are investigating the theft of mail from a rural mailbox on Highway 53 near Ponoka. A resident in the area believed her mail was being stolen and tested her theory the evening of Nov. 14 by putting mail in the mailbox.
Overnight the mail was stolen. Police are investigating.
Semi sideswipes vehicle
A 28-year-old Edmonton driver had a close call Nov. 12 on Highway 2 near Lacombe after a semi narrowly forced her vehicle off the road.
The 34-year-old driver of the semi apparently sideswiped the woman’s vehicle forcing her into the ditch but the semi continued on. Police caught up with the driver and charged him with unsafe change of lanes.
If you have information on any crime call Ponoka RCMP at 403-783-4472 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.