Police in Bonnyville have nabbed the suspected Ponoka CIBC robber from July 17.
Joseph Rodgers, 53, of no fixed address was arrested July 24 at 6 p.m. in Bonnyville after a robbery of the Dollar Store. Rodgers allegedly held up a clerk at knifepoint and pushed a clerk out of the way to get to the till. Shortly after Cold Lake and Bonnyville RCMP established a roadblock and arrested Rodgers. He is also a suspect in a robbery at the Cold Lake CIBC.
An undisclosed amount of cash was recovered in his vehicle. The accused is charged with three counts of armed robbery, two counts of disguising his face with intent to commit an indictable offense and one count of threats causing death or bodily harm.
Rodgers has been remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear at Ponoka court Aug. 2.
Pedestrian killed on Highway 2
Police responded to a call of a pedestrian being hit by a Dodge pickup truck northbound on Highway 2 near Highway 53. The 46-year-old driver from Lacombe was at the scene July 24 at 4:30 a.m. and informed police of the occurrence.
The pedestrian was wearing all black and is believed to have been standing close to the traffic lane at the time. There are no charges in the incident.
Semi collision closes highway
The southbound lanes of Highway 2 were closed for three hours near Ponoka July 22 to 23 after two super B semis collided around 11:30 p.m.
Both trucks were northbound on the highway when one semi rear-ended the other and the following truck hit the ditch and ended in the southbound lanes blocking traffic. There were minor injuries to the 48-year-old driver and his 14-year-old passenger. The 51-year-old driver from Millet who was rear-ended also received minor injuries.
The collision is still under investigation and no charges have been laid.
Gas thief impaired
A $60 gas and dash at the 7-Eleven has resulted in an arrest by Ponoka RCMP. A 42-year-old man from Hobbema had filled up an older white Ford pickup at the gas station and driven off July 24 at 1:45 a.m. Police were close by and quickly stopped the truck.
After some investigation the driver was believed to be impaired. He produced a fail on the roadside screening device. He provided breath samples of .8 and .7 so could not be charged but had a graduated driver’s licence and received a suspension.
The driver was charged with theft. Also in the vehicle was a 24-year-old woman from Hobbema who provided a false name to police. She received a charge for obstruction.
Fraudster caught
A 59-year-old man from Toronto, Ont. has been charged with fraud after attempting to short change a cashier at Tim Hortons July 24 at 2 p.m.
The man would offer a $50 bill to pay for his food but would then say he never received the change. Police believe the suspect has used this same tactic at two stores in Olds. He was charged with fraud.
Four impaired drivers charged last week
The first driver charged was a 30-year-old woman from Ponoka July 28 at 3 a.m. She was stopped on 49 Street driving a 1995 Chevy pickup and produced two blood-alcohol samples of .13. She had a 29-year-old female passenger from Ponoka who had outstanding warrants for her arrest.
Another driver was charged July 24 at 4:30 p.m. near Baker Road and Menaik Road. A 24-year-old man from Ponoka provided samples of .11 and .10.
A third driver was eastbound on Highway 53 near Battle River travelling at 120 km/h in a 100 km/h zone. He was driving a 2003 Dodge Intrepid and his vehicle was uninsured and unregistered. The 30-year-old man from Ponoka provided samples of .16 and .15.
The fourth driver charged had ducked into the back seat of his vehicle. He was stopped at midnight on July 27 on 57 Avenue The 29-year-old man from Hobbema provided samples of .22 and .20 and was charged. A passenger provided a false name to police but the name he supplied was somebody who had warrants for their arrest.
After being lodged in cells he admitted to providing an incorrect name but he also had warrants against him. He was charged with breach of probation.
Drunk and speeding
The Ponoka Integrated Traffic Unit stopped a driver travelling southbound on Highway 2 at 210 km/h July 23 at 11:45 p.m.
A Wetaskiwin sheriff clocked the driver at 200 km/h and contacted Ponoka’s traffic unit, which assisted in stopping the vehicle. A police officer and a sheriff were in position to apprehend the suspect who was stopped south of Lacombe.
After some investigation the driver provided breath samples of .14 and .10. He also had outstanding warrants and fines totalling $2,600. A 24-year-old man from British Columbia faces charges of impaired driving and dangerous driving of a vehicle and has been remanded in custody.
If you have information on any crime call Ponoka RCMP at 403-783-4472 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.