An enhanced check stop in Ponoka last weekend resulted in the arrest of one person with a loaded pistol in his vehicle.
Police stopped the driver of a red 2009 Dodge Avenger on Friday, Oct. 24 in the evening on Highway 2A and 50 Street during the Check Stop. The driver, a 28-year-old man from Nova Scotia, was arrested for warrants in Banff and a search of the vehicle found a loaded .22 calibre pistol, brass knuckles and a small amount of marijuana.
He received several weapons charges including unauthorized possession of a firearm.
Whitecourt driver resists arrest after failing to stop
Calls from concerned motorists helped nab a driver who was driving at a speed of 158 km/h on Highway 2 in a Chevy Silverado.
Witnesses state they saw the driver, a 35-year-old man from Whitecourt, driving in an erratic manner and narrowly missing other vehicles on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 9:40 p.m.
Members of the Ponoka Integrated Traffic Unit were able to catch up with the driver on Aspelund Road south of Ponoka. While following, police say the driver suddenly stopped on the road, forcing police to swerve to avoid hitting the Silverado.
After activating the emergency lights, the culprit drove forward, hitting the police cruiser at a slow speed. Two officers arrested the man, who is said to have refused to get out of the vehicle. Officers say the man had no seatbelt on and had bloodshot eyes with drool coming out of his mouth.
He had a suspended driver’s licence.
The man was charged with failing to provide a breath sample, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, impaired driving and driving while unauthorized.
Short pursuit results in minor collision
In the early morning hours of Oct. 25, police questioned the driver of a black 2014 Dodge Ram who pulled up quickly to an enhanced check stop, located on Highway 2A and Secondary Highway 611.
When police asked the 31-year-old driver of no fixed address why he did that, the man claimed he did not see the vehicles. Police asked the man to step out of the truck as they believed he was impaired and the driver sped off, squealing his tires.
Before a pursuit could be started, the driver hit the ditch. He was arrested but refused to provide breath samples to officers. He was charged with obstructing a peace officer, flight from police and refusing to provide a breath sample.
The man was remanded in custody.
Youth under investigation
A youth on the Samson Cree Nation is under investigation after police found a .22 calibre revolver on the Samson Town Site Wednesday, Oct. 22. Multiple rounds of ammunition were also found in the area.
On the same day, police attended a home on the Montana First Nation. A sawed off single shotgun and ammunition were found. Charges have yet to be laid as the matter is under investigation.
Ponoka RCMP and the Integrated Traffic Unit took 82 calls for service last week.
If you have information on any crime call Ponoka RCMP at 403-783-4472 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.