A Ponoka man was arrested Feb. 18 in Red Deer after police found him with a stolen vehicle and firearms.
Stephen Richmond was stopped during a routine traffic check when a Mountie saw the licence plate did not match the vehicle. Numerous improperly stored firearms, determined to be stolen, were seen in the vehicle.
There were rifles, two hunting knives, stolen identity cards and more than 28 grams of marijuana in the vehicle as well. Richmond was subsequently arrested and faces several charges.
• 29 counts of weapon and firearm related offences.
• Three counts of possession of stolen property.
• One count of possession of a controlled drug and substance.
• As well as additional charges under the Traffic Safety Act.
Chase leads to arrest and charges
Results of a police investigation Feb. 21 and 24 have found seven people facing charges of dangerous driving and possession of property obtained by crime.
A call was made to RCMP Feb. 21 at 10 p.m. that a suspicious vehicle was parked in a downtown alley with its lights off. When Mounties arrived to investigate the vehicle drove away through the alleys.
A short pursuit ensued and the vehicle ended high-centred in a snow bank on 51 Street and 46 Avenue.
There were five occupants in the vehicle, four men and one woman, and they then fled on foot. Police followed and three men were caught but the driver and woman were still at large.
Investigation showed the vehicle they were driving was stolen from Calgary.
The driver was located with another stolen vehicle in Hobbema on Feb. 24 in the morning after trying to evade police. Two other men were with the driver and they were also arrested. The two passengers have been charged in relation to the events in Ponoka.
The seven suspects face these charges:
• Seven charges of possession of property obtained by crime.
• Two charges of theft as two stole liquor from a downtown liquor store.
• Five charges of resisting arrest.
• Five charges under the youth criminal justice act.
• Three charges of failing to comply with recognizance.
The woman still has charges pending against her and would be the eighth person involved.
Of the eight suspects, two youths were involved.
Stolen vehicle found
A 1997 Dodge Stratus was found abandoned Feb. 22 at midnight on a service road near the Super 8 motel. The ignition was damaged and investigations show the vehicle was stolen from Calgary. Police believe they have the suspects in custody.
Peeping Tom
Police were called to a home Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. after the owner reported a man looked through their window briefly and walked away. Located on the 5100 block of 46 Avenue police could not find the man and the only description they have of him is that he is 5’6” and wearing an old style hat.
Man jumping into traffic
Several calls were made to police of a man walking along Highway 2A south of Ponoka Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. Police say vehicles had to swerve to avoid the man as he was walking down the centre of the road.
The 42-year-old man from Inuvik, NWT appeared to be emotionally unstable but after speaking with officers calmed down and stated he was hitchhiking to Edmonton. For his safety police gave him a lift to Lacombe.
Early morning drinker
A 22-year-old man from Red Deer faces charges of impaired driving after providing breath samples of .16 and .15 Feb. 21 at 9 a.m.
Police were called by concerned motorists on Highway 2 northbound of a 2007 Ford F150 swerving in and out of lanes. The man was also charged with driving while suspended.
Drunk driver charged
Police stopped the driver of a vehicle Feb. 25 at 11 p.m. after seeing a 1998 Dodge Durango swerving on Highway 2A northbound. The 29-year-old driver from Hobbema failed the roadside screening test and supplied blood alcohol samples of .16 and .15.
Drunks throwing cups
A 23-year-old man from Dauphin, Man. and a 31-year-old man from Val Marie, Sask. spent the night at the Ponoka police detachment after throwing cups and acting aggressively to staff at a downtown bar.
After being asked to leave the men kicked the door on the way out. They were reported to be heavily intoxicated and were arrested for being drunk in public place.