An early morning complaint on May 11 resulted in the Ponoka RCMP locating and arresting two male suspects with stolen property.

At 4:27 a.m. on May 11 a rural resident reported that two suspects had broken into his house and after he chased them, they fled on stolen bicycles from his yard.  The RCMP located both the suspects and the bicycles and made arrests without incident.  The males were found to be in possession of several stolen items ranging from electronic equipment to Pizza Pops.

As the morning progressed other Ponoka residents reported thefts from their motor vehicles and homes.  A total of 17 different complaints were lodged with the RCMP.

An active investigation is ongoing and early indications are that all incidents are related to the two subjects arrested.

One 20-year-old male and one youth, both from Maskwacis First Nation are facing criminal charges including break and enter and commit theft, mischief and possession of property obtained by crime.  Neither accused can be named by the RCMP as charges have not been sworn yet against the adult, and the youth cannot be named according to the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Both suspects are released from police custody and compelled to appear in Provincial Court in mid June.

If you have information about this investigation, please call the Ponoka RCMP at 403-783-4472, or call your local police detachment.  If you want to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), by internet at www.tipsubmit.com, or by SMS.