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Multiple break-ins in Ponoka rural area last week

A rash of break-ins last week has Ponoka RCMP working on several investigations that may be related.

A rash of break-ins last week has Ponoka RCMP working on several investigations that may be related.

One homeowner had a close call with one culprit who broke into her home while she was still there on Friday, Oct. 3 at about 9 a.m.

The homeowner heard someone knock on the front door of her home at Township Road 413 and Range Road 272 and when she looked outside saw two older dirty beige-coloured vehicles. One was in the driveway and the other one was on the street.

At some point in the morning, the culprits stole gasoline from a shed and then someone entered the home. The homeowner was upstairs when she heard footsteps coming up the stairs. She called out and then the suspect fled. Police said there were muddy footprints throughout the basement of the house.

Another break and enter was reported the next day, Saturday, Oct. 4. Overnight, someone broke into a home on Range Road 264 and Township Road 424 and smashed the kitchen window to gain entry. Winter boots and clothing were stolen from the home. The bedroom window showed signs of someone using a crowbar to try and gain entry.

Another complaint was received the same day for a break-and-enter overnight to a home nearby. Homeowners found a door to an outbuilding open with three saddles and horse blankets missing at a home on Township Road 425 and Range Road 260.

Some diesel had been siphoned out of a slip tank as well and the blankets were later found on a service road.

Culprits claimed another victim who reported a break-and-enter Sunday, Oct. 5. Power tools and hand tools were taken from the workshop of a home on Township Road 273 and Range Road 414.

Pickup stolen from garage

Police responded to a call of a stolen Mazda pickup Monday, Oct. 6 after homeowners found the vehicle taken from their garage on the 5200 block of 56 Avenue.

It is believed culprits gained entry to the garage by using the garage door opener from an unlocked vehicle on the street. Once inside the garage, the suspects made off with the Mazda pickup as the keys were left inside.

Culprits seek to fraud debit machines

Quick thinking from one business owner helped prevent debit fraud by two suspects.

Two male suspects entered a Ponoka business Tuesday, Sept. 30 between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. claiming they were agents of Moneris Solutions, a company that provides debit machines to businesses.

However, the businessperson asked questions relating to their business and the suspect were unable to provide proper identification or name the branch they work at.

Witnesses say both men looked to be in their 40s. One man is believed to be Asian, short and slender and the other is believed to be Caucasian, with a heavy build and his brown hair tied in a ponytail with a laptop.

Both were wearing suits at the time.

Refusing to provide a blood-alcohol sample

One driver had his car towed after refusing to provide a blood-alcohol sample to police.

Officers stopped the driver of a 1994 Ford Taurus on Highway 2A near Ponoka Saturday, Oct. 4 at 3 a.m. on suspicion that he was impaired. When the 42-year-old Ponoka man was asked to provide a breath sample, he refused. He was arrested and charged with refusal and his vehicle was towed.

Sylvan Lake man arrested for impaired driving

Police stopped the driver of a 1998 Dodge Ram on 51 Street Saturday, Oct. 4 after seeing a burnt out headlight.

Officers could smell an odor of liquor on the 24-year-old Sylvan Lake driver who also provided two blood-alcohol samples of .11 and .10. He was arrested for impaired driving.

Driver hits ditch

Charges are pending for a 22-year-old male from Red Deer after his car hit the ditch Saturday, Oct. 4 at 8:10 p.m. near Ponoka.

Witnesses report the driver almost swerved into another vehicle before hitting the ditch.

Ponoka RCMP and the Integrated Traffic Unit received 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.