Police responded to 41 calls last week, which included a fatal rollover and assisting Red Deer RCMP with an armed robbery investigation.
On the latter, Ponoka RCMP received an anonymous tip from Crime Stoppers that a Ponoka man was identified as a possible culprit in an armed robbery in Red Deer Feb. 3.
A suspect entered a Mac’s Convenience Store on Gaetz Avenue and 21 Street at 12:30 a.m. and demanded cash from the employee, who denied the request. The suspect then produced a black handgun at which point the employee turned over an undisclosed amount of money.
The culprit was seen leaving in a white Ford pickup. There were no injuries in the incident. As a result of the Crime Stoppers tip and subsequent investigations from Ponoka police, three Ponoka men were charged.
Jordan Baron (19), Stephen Donaldson (20) and Christian Lesann (18), have all been charged with robbery, use of an imitation firearm during a robbery and disguise with intent.
Teen dies in rollover
A 19-year-old Maskwacis teen driver has died as a result of a rollover Feb. 23.
Police received a call of a stolen 2003 Chrysler Sebring at 9:35 a.m. The vehicle was left running unattended while warming up in the morning.
Shortly after, officers received a call of a rollover north of Ponoka on Range Road 254 near Menaik Road. It is believed the vehicle rolled several times and the driver and a passenger were reported trapped.
Ponoka firefighters, EMS and police attended and the driver was declared dead at the scene. The passenger, an 18-year-old man from Maskwacis, was taken to the Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre, and later the Red Deer Hospital, for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
The vehicle in the rollover is the same vehicle that was reported stolen. Charges of possession of stolen property are pending on the 18-year-old passenger.
Alcohol and speed are considered factors in the collision.
Culprits escape capture with stolen vehicle
Quick thinking from an off-duty Mountie Feb. 23 at 4:30 a.m. helped identify suspects in a stolen vehicle.
The officer was filling up his vehicle at a gas station on Highway 2A when he noticed two individuals who appeared suspicious upon seeing him.
The culprits were driving a 2000 grey GMC Sierra, which had an air compressor, chainsaw and other tools in the back of the pickup. The officer called the detachment to run the licence plate, which showed the registered owner from Sylvan Lake.
As the officer left the gas station, he noticed the pickup driving on 59 Avenue and near the Hudson Green Nature and Activity Centre in a slow manner. On-duty officers were called and when they attempted to stop the truck, it sped off at speeds of 70 km/h near the Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre.
The truck then drove past the Ponoka Secondary Campus on Baker Road at speeds up to 140 km/h. Police then called off the pursuit in the interest of public safety. It was later determined that the truck was stolen from Sylvan Lake.
Police looking for Lacombe man
After allegedly writing more than $11,000 worth of bad cheques at one Ponoka and other area banks, police have issued a warrant for the arrest of a Lacombe man.
Since April 1, 2013 to Jan. 31, 2014, police say Michael Potter has written bad cheques in Lacombe, Ponoka and Red Deer. Potter faces three counts of uttering forged documents.
Edmonton driver clocked at 180 km/h
Members of the Ponoka Integrated Traffic Unit were able to stop a driver travelling at speeds in excess of 180km/h.
The motorist was first seen Feb. 21 at 8 p.m. near Lacombe on Highway 2 travelling at a high rate of speed. While attempting to catch up with the black 2005 Subaru Legacy, officers ahead were able to close the distance and recorded speeds of 153 km/h, 170 km/h and more than 180 km/h.
The 19-year-old Edmonton driver faces mandatory court time.
If you have information on any crime call Ponoka RCMP at 403-783-4472 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.