Two individuals have been arrested and charged in relation to an armed robbery that occurred in Ponoka on Feb. 18.
At approximately 8 p.m., Ponoka RCMP responded to an armed robbery in progress on 38 Avenue Close where a male and female suspect stole a white Pontiac Vibe at gunpoint.
A police pursuit was initiated through Ponoka County and Montana First Nation.
At one point during the pursuit, the suspect vehicle went over a frozen river and got stuck on a berm.
The female suspect was immediately arrested, but the male suspect fled on foot.
He was eventually apprehended with the assistance of AIR 1 and the Police Dog Service.
The male suspect was then taken by EMS to Ponoka General Hospital to be checked for exposure injuries.
Preston Saddleback, a 35-years-old male resident of Ponoka, was charged with:
- Robbery with a firearm;
- Flight from a peace officer;
- Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle;
- Resist/obstruct a peace officer;
- Assault with a weapon;
- Mischief.
Saddleback was taken before a Justice of the Peace and remanded in custody with his next court date set for Feb. 21, 2025, to appear at the Alberta Court of Justice in Ponoka.
Kayla Currie, a 41-years-old female resident of Ponoka, was charged with:
- Robbery with a firearm;
- Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle;
- Flight from a peace officer.
Currie was taken before a Justice of the Peace and released with her next court date set for Feb. 28, 2025, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Ponoka.
"The RCMP would like to thank the residents who were asked to shelter inside their home while they were looking for the suspects." stated an RCMP news release.
Police continue to investigate and anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to contact the Ponoka RCMP at (403) 783-4471.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app.
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