With the help of a conscientious resident, RCMP have charged a 51-year-old man from Ponoka with four counts of theft and two counts of using a disguise with intent.
The man allegedly entered a gas station and went behind the counter to take some money but did not succeed as staff stopped him. He then drove away in a light blue four-door older model Honda.
A witness at the gas station followed him but eventually lost track of the car. The witness was later passed by the same vehicle northbound on Highway 2A and he was able to provide a description to police.
Clothing matching his description was found at his residence during a search warrant Dec. 11. Police were able to identify the man from previous attempts to take money as well as four times he allegedly did a gas and dash at gas stations.
Break and enters
There were two break and enters in the industrial park overnight of Dec. 12. The first was at a business on the 4500 block of 65 Street. Forcible entry was used on the location and physical evidence was left behind although there were no items reported as missing.
The second break and enter occurred on the 6700 block of Highway 53 where culprits again used forcible entry to the building. An undisclosed amount of cash was taken as well as a 2010 grey Dodge Dakota pickup.
Police believe the break and enters are linked.
Alcohol in vehicle
Police stopped a vehicle Dec. 14 on 50 Street at midnight in Ponoka after noticing it was weaving on the road. Investigation showed liquor in the vehicle and a passenger provided a false name to the Mountie to avoid arrest.
The 36-year-old passenger was charged with transportation of liquor and obstructing a peace officer.
Youth struggles with police
A police officer attended a residence Dec. 17 to arrest a youth who had a breach of probation Dec. 17 at 4:30 p.m. During the arrest a struggle ensued and other Mounties attended to assist.
The youth was also charged with resisting arrest.
Impaired drivers
There were three impaired drivers caught in Ponoka last week. The first was a 45-year-old man from Ponoka was seen speeding on 50 Street in Ponoka Dec. 11. Police stopped him in a residential area where they noticed signs of impairment. The man failed a roadside breath test and was taken to the police station where he refused to provide a sample. He was charged with impaired driving and refusing a breath sample.
A 29-year-old woman from Tees faces charges of impairment after being stopped on 50 Street and 58 Avenue at 3:45 a.m. for not having operating taillights.
A small amount of cocaine was found in the vehicle as well. She provided blood-alcohol samples of .21 and .21.
A 40-year-old woman from Walburg, Sask. was witnessed driving into a ditch Dec. 14 at 10 p.m. Investigation by police showed her to have some impairment and she gave blood-alcohol samples of .18 and .18 twice.
If you have information on any crime call Ponoka RCMP at 403-783-4472 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.