A pursuit ensued between a member of the Ponoka Integrated Traffic Services and a red Ford Taurus on Highway 2 Aug. 19.
The Taurus was reported to be driven in an erratic manner northbound on one metal rim.
Due to the volume of traffic, the pursuing officer stopped almost immediately to keep the public safe. The volume of traffic slowed the suspect enough that police were able to observe the vehicle from a distance. This allowed for nearby detachments to assist by preparing spike belts for deployment.
At one point during the incident the driver lost control and entered the median, launched over a center median “cross over roadway” and narrowly missed entering the opposite lane.
Near Highway 13 the driver made an erratic lane change that caused his vehicle to go out of control. It side-swiped one car and rear-ended a truck and went off the road.
A 52-year-old Calgary man was taken into custody and will be charged with dangerous driving and flight from police. He is being assessed for his mental health as he indicated to police at the time of arrest he was on his way to heaven.
Head injury confuses man
Police were called by EMS to assist with a 21-year-old man who sustained a head injury Aug. 15 at 9:30 p.m. on the 6000 block of 54 Street.
The man had attempted a railslide with his bike and landed on his head. Police report that EMS were checking his head and because of the head injury the man became confused and disoriented and he became combative. Police assisted to ensure no one got hurt.
Theft from rural areas
There were three cases of theft from rural areas last week: the first had the suspects leaving their own shoes and stealing the owners as well as stealing several items on the morning of Aug. 17 at 4 p.m. Lo cated on Township Road 422 near Range Road 283, the owners had returned to their home to find their Dodge pickup, electronics, jewelry, perfume, and personal papers stolen from their home. All doors were locked.
Diesel fuel and a Bosch box radio were stolen from a home construction site overnight Aug. 13 near Clive. The fuel was taken out of a construction vehicle on site.
Another location northwest of Ponoka had a 2007 Black Suzuki 500 quad stolen from a residence Aug. 16.
Speeding motorbikes
Ponoka Integrated Traffic Services received a 911 call last week of three motorbikes passing in-between vehicles and in the centre lane of Highway 2 southbound near Matejka Road. Officers caught up to one rider who was travelling in excess of 166 km/h. A 24-year-old man from Edmonton was arrested and charged with speeding and driving while suspended. His motorbike has also been seized for 30 days.
Items stolen from car
Police are looking for suspects who broke into a vehicle Aug. 13 at 7 p.m. and stole several leather jackets. Located in town on the 5100 block of 49 Avenue, a plain black leather jacket, a Thunderbirds leather jacket, a leather jacket with Broncs Rodeo Academy and a Carhartt style vest with Team Roping Canada stitched on it and a Sony stereo were taken from the vehicle.
Impaired man
A 28-year-old man faces impaired charges after his vehicle ended up in the southbound in the northbound ditch of Highway 2A near Ponoka. The incident occurred Aug. 13 at 11 p.m. Blood-alcohol tests recorded a .24 on the first reading and .22 on the second.
Indecent act
Ponoka RCMP received a complaint Aug. 14 of an eight-year-old boy and a three-year-old girl involved in an indecent act. The matter is under investigation.
Listerine stolen
A 55-year-old man was arrested for public intoxication Aug. 15, after which he was recognized from a drug store surveillance video the previous day stealing a bottle of Listerine. He has been charged with theft under $5,000.
Youth arrested
A youth was arrested the evening of Aug. 14 in a home he was staying at after allegedly trying to harm another youth. Police had previously been called after he kicked and dented a vehicle at the home. Charges are pending.
Prescription drugs stolen
A 48-year-old man has been charged with break and enter after being found with narcotics medication and anti-depressants stolen from a home Aug. 16. The home was located on the 4400 block of 45 Street.
If you have information on any crime call Ponoka RCMP at 403-783-4472 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.