On Oct. 10, the Ponoka RCMP took one male into custody following a civilian report of a suspicious vehicle seen driving around Lacombe County. The alert citizen recognized that the truck was suspicious and contacted the RCMP.
At 9:15 p.m., the RCMP received the dispatch about the truck, seen on Range Road 254 in Lacombe County. The complainant who spotted the truck made efforts to follow it, until the driver of the truck attempted to ram the complainant. Patrols by RCMP members were being made to locate the truck. At 10:15 p.m., an update was provided that the truck was spotted at the Morningside Community Hall.
The responding member located the truck, with a sleeping male inside. It was determined that the truck was reported stolen earlier and the male was immediately arrested without incident.
A search of the truck incidental to arrest led the RCMP to seize a large tool box full of numerous items including several pry bars, crow bars, drills and grinders; typically associated to break-in’s. A crossbow was also seized.
At the time of his arrest, Bryan Lawrence Moffitt (23) was wanted on a Canada Wide arrest warrant. He was also subject to four different orders prohibiting him from being in possession of a crossbow.
Moffitt is facing nine criminal code charges and two provincial charges under the Traffic Safety Act in relation to this incident. His charges include possession of stolen property, possession of break in instruments and dangerous driving. Moffitt has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to attend Provincial Court of Alberta in Ponoka on Oct. 30, 2020.
“In consultation with our community, the Ponoka RCMP has committed to tackling the issue of stolen vehicles and the subsequent crimes which are perpetrated by the criminals driving them,” said Staff Sergeant Chris Smiley, the Detachment Commander of Ponoka RCMP.
“We offer thanks to the citizens who alerted us to this vehicle, and remind the community to not engage with unknown, suspicious people. Let the RCMP manage the potential dangers.”
- Submitted by RCMP Media Relations