PONOKA - An Innisfail man and a suspected accomplice from Ponoka were arrested and charged by police in connection with a stolen vehicle.
A third suspect managed to evade police during a foot chase that followed a traffic stop.
On Oct. 1 at about 3:30 p.m., members of the Ponoka RCMP detachment located the stolen vehicle parked at a gas station in the area of 5302 Highway 2A. Upon further investigation, police determined the vehicle had been stolen at approximately 1:45 p.m. out of Sylvan Lake, reads a portion of a press release.
A vehicle stop was subsequently initiated, and three occupants were informed they were under arrest, police report.
“Two passengers fled from the vehicle and an officer pursued on foot. The driver attempted to start the stolen vehicle ignition with a screwdriver,” the press release states.
“An interaction occurred wherein the driver resisted arrest and was then taken into custody.”
Additional police resources, along with an RCMP Police Service Dog, were deployed. The canine unit was able to locate one of the males, who matched surveillance footage from the fuel station. While the second male was arrested and taken into custody, the third male was not located and his identity remained unknown as of the time the press statement was issued on Oct. 5.
A search of the stolen vehicle resulted in the seizure of a prohibited baton and break-in instruments.
Kenton James Wood, 27, of Ponoka, as well as Peter George Walker, 35, of Innisfail, have been jointly charged with:
• possession of stolen property over $5,000;
• possession of a weapon for a purpose dangerous to the public;
• possession of break-in instruments.
Wood is also charged with:
• resisting arrest;
• two counts of failure to comply with conditions;
• driving while unauthorized under the Traffice Safety Act;
• uninsured motor vehicle under the Traffice Safety Act.
Walker is also charged with:
• resisting arrest;
• three counts of failure to comply with conditions.
Following judicial hearings, both Wood and Walker were remanded into custody and are scheduled to attend Ponoka Provincial Court on Oct. 16.
Ponoka RCMP are asking the public's assistance for any information in relation to this incident, specifically identifying the third male.
Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Ponoka RCMP at 403-783-4472 or their local detachment. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), go online at www.P3Tips.com, or use the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.
