Central Alberta Online News

On Friday, July 4, 2025, at around 3:00 a.m., members of the Lacombe Police Service were conducting patrols in the industrial area of the 5500 Block of Wolf Creek Drive, adjacent to the police detachment. Officers observed three men and a large, unleashed dog near a GMC Sierra cube van.

A check of the license plate revealed the cube van had been reported stolen out of Edmonton.

Here are the Council highlights from the August 28, Lacombe County meeting.

Lacombe County Council Highlights

2024 Municipal Indicators
Lacombe County met or exceeded all but two indicators — Investment in Infrastructure and Infrastructure Age — in the 2024 Municipal Indicators report. Alberta Municipal Affairs deems the County “not at risk.”

Policy Updates

• Staff Retirement Policy (AD (14)) – Expanded eligibility and adjusted award amounts approved.

Today, Red Deer City Council passed a resolution regarding Emergency Services.

Alongside this, City Manager Tara Lodewyk and Mayor Johnston have released a public letter, which is now posted to the City’s website.

Two men from Ponoka are facing charges after an armed robbery at the Royal Hotel earlier this year.

RCMP say a masked suspect entered the hotel bar with a firearm in the early morning of May 17 and stole a cash box. When two patrons chased the suspect outside, a second armed suspect allegedly threatened them.

Surveillance footage allowed investigators to identify the suspects, and arrest warrants were issued.

Garren Okeymow, 24, of Ponoka, is charged with:

• Robbery

Maskwacis RCMP have located missing 38-year-old Miranda Stick.

Miranda was last seen on Aug. 24, in Wetaskiwin and there was concern for her well-being.

RCMP thanked the public and media for their help.

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 Innisfail RCMP had been searching for a high-risk offender who was wanted on outstanding warrants for assault, resist arrest, mischief and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.

The offender has failed to appear on his drug trafficking charge on 3 separate occasions.  

On Aug. 25, 2025, Innisfail RCMP observed the offender walking in downtown Innisfail.  The offender attempted to hide behind a vehicle to avoid detection by police. 

On Aug. 28 2025, Innisfail RCMP responded to a report of a fire near the Highway 54 bridge. 

Innisfail Fire department had located 2 males burning copper wire.

When police arrived, the suspects attempted to leave the area in a truck and were stopped by police. During the traffic stop, police could see what was estimated to be over 100 lbs of stripped copper wire in the back of the truck. 

The Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit continue asking the public for help locating a man wanted on a Canada-wide warrant in connection with a 2018 murder.

Christian Nyabirungu, 35, is wanted for first-degree murder, kidnapping and aggravated assault in relation to the Sept. 13, 2018, death of Aldane Mesquita.

Nyabirungu is described as six-foot-two, 240 pounds, with black skin, black hair and brown eyes. Police say he may have since changed his appearance.

He has ties to Edmonton, North Battleford, Sask., Toronto and Montreal, where he has family.

Wetaskiwin RCMP say a suspect is in custody after a vehicle was stolen Wednesday evening.

Police say they received a report of the theft around 6:05 p.m. Officers located the vehicle, but the suspect fled on foot.

RCMP searched the area of Highway 2 and Township Road 442 and took the suspect into custody without incident.

** With information from Alberta RCMP.

In February 2025, Maskwacis RCMP began an investigation into illegally purchased firearms in the community.

As part of the investigation, police identified a suspect and determined that several of the firearms purchased by him had been recovered at crime scenes in Maskwacis and in other detachments and provinces.

As a result, RCMP have charged 24-year-old Maskwacis resident Colby Ray Buffalo with firearms trafficking and transfer without authority.

The RCMP continue efforts to locate outstanding firearms and say the investigation is ongoing.