On Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 10:50 a.m. Ponoka RCMP received a complaint of a 2010 Ford Flex at the Highway 2 and Highway 2A overpass driving erratically with speeds varying from 80 to 140 km/h.
Attending officers had the vehicle stopped and ordered the 15-year-old driver from Red Deer — where the Ford was stolen from — out of the vehicle. But the driver suddenly got back into the vehicle and fled from police at the high rate of speed, northbound on Highway 2.
The young offender took the right exit onto Menaik Road, blew through a stop sign, crossed two lanes and drove down an embankment and through a barbwire fence into a farmer’s field. The driver proceeded for another quarter of a mile before the vehicle getting stuck in the snow.
A nearby farmer offered to use a large front loader to create a path through the snowy field for the police vehicles.
RCMP officers approached the driver, who resisted and punched a sheriff. The driver then got into the sheriff’s open vehicle and attempted to steal it before being wrestled through the open door. The authorities once again gained control of the situation.
The driver was charged with dangerous operation of motor vehicle, operating a vehicle being pursued, theft of a motor vehicle and assaulting a police officer.
The youth was in Ponoka provincial court on Friday, Feb. 6. At that time, bail had not been spoken to and it was mentioned in court that at the time of the incident, the driver may have been in the process of being transported for a mental health evaluation.
Court proceedings were adjourned until Feb. 11, when the youth will appear back in Ponoka provincial court on a youth court date, via closed circuit television.
Stolen Dodge Caravan
In the early morning hours of Feb. 4, RCMP received a call of a motor vehicle accident on Highway 2, just south of the Ponoka overpass.
Upon arrival, members discovered the driver was no longer at the scene. Police located a male walking northbound in a southbound lane that matched the description of the male driver.
He was found to have been driving without a license and was arrested and charged with two counts of stolen property, the vehicle and a backpack, and a breach.
Electronics theft
A 50th Street business called RCMP on Feb. 4 at 1 p.m. after two Samsung tablets were stolen.
RCMP is still looking for two females and a male that are of interest in the theft of the devices. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the RCMP at 403-783-4472 or Crime Stoppers 800-222-8477.
Dine and Dash
RCMP was called to a Highway 2A restaurant on Feb. 4 after a 46-year-old diner from Maskwacis refused to pay his $30.71 bill.
He was located near the restaurant and it was discovered he was intoxicated but had the money to pay the bill.
After being made to pay, RCMP arrested the man and lodged him in a cell until he was sober.
Drugs located on young woman
On Tuesday, Feb. 3 Ponoka RCMP received a complaint of a motor vehicle parked sideways across Highway 2A near Morningside.
A male and one female passengers were located. The 20-year-old female from Edmonton/Lancaster Park had warrants issued in her name from the Edmonton police and military police. She was arrested for the warrants.
A search of her revealed crystal meth, ecstasy and GHB. She was additionally charged with three counts of possession.
Drug arrest in Maskwacis
Earlier, on Monday Feb. 2, Maskwacis RCMP, CRU and Police Dog Services executed a controlled Drugs and Substances Act Search Warrant in the Ermineskin Indian Reserve.
Maskwacis RCMP arrested eight individuals from the residence. A search of the property yielded a large amount of "crack" cocaine, "powdered cocaine, and assorted drug paraphernalia with the approximate street value of $11,000.
The eight adults arrested from the residence have been charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
If you have information on any crime call Ponoka RCMP at 403-783-4472 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.