From Ponoka RCMP:

Three people have been charged with multiple offences after a crime spree ended in arrests and charges Saturday night.

On February 3, 2018 at approximately 6:30 p.m., Ponoka RCMP were dispatched to a theft at a liquor store. Upon arrival it was determined that a male suspect entered the store and stole three bottles of wine and fled.

At 6:45 p.m. Ponoka RCMP responded to a complaint of an attempted theft of a vehicle at a residence in north-west Ponoka with similar suspect descriptions. RCMP attempted to stop the vehicle but the vehicle fled. Due to public safety concerns no pursuit was initiated at this time.

At 7:30 p.m. Ponoka RCMP responded to a panic alarm at a store in Crestomere west of Ponoka. Suspects had entered the store attempting to steal liquor. Once the suspects departed the store a firearm was pointed at an employee.

At 8:00 p.m. Rimbey RCMP responded to an attempted vehicle theft in the town of Rimbey. RCMP located a similar suspect vehicle that was allegedly involved in the previous incidents and attempted to stop the vehicle. A pursuit ensued east bound on Highway 53 until the suspect vehicle went off-road right into the ditch and got stuck. Two of three suspects were arrested without incident and one suspect fled on foot. Police Dog Services was dispatched to assist but were unable to locate the outstanding suspect. The suspect vehicle was determined to be stolen. During this time period a vehicle was stolen from a neighbouring property by the third suspect.

Just before midnight, Ponoka RCMP were dispatched to a single vehicle collision on Highway 2-A north of Ponoka. Westaskiwin RCMP members arrived on scene at the same time a female victim was being pulled from the vehicle by one of the suspects. RCMP members attempted to effect an arrest when one RCMP member was assaulted. The remaining suspect was eventually arrested and another stolen vehicle was recovered.

Justice Rain (18) of Maskwacis is facing 11 Criminal Code charges including robbery with a firearm, flight from police, and possession of stolen property. He was remanded into custody for a court appearance of February 6, 2018 in Wetaskiwin.

Jerral Rabbit (18) of Maskwacis is facing 8 Criminal Code charges including pointing a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm and flight from police. He was remanded into custody with a court appearance in Wetaskiwin scheduled for February 6, 2018.

A 16 year old male who cannot be named under the YCJA is facing a total of 23 charges including robbery with a firearm, flight from police, assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest, and possession of property obtained by crime. He has been remanded into custody and is scheduled for a court appearance on February 7, 2018 in Wetaskiwin.

As this case is now before the courts, no further information will be provided.

We need your assistance. Cooperation between the RCMP and the public is instrumental to the success of our Crime Reduction efforts. The simple act of reporting any suspicious activity and/or crime provides us with the necessary information by which we gather intelligence.