News release

Wetaskiwin Crime Reduction Unit, Maskwacis & Ponoka RCMP, team up to arrest repeat liquor thieves

April 18, 2026 - Ponoka/Wetaskiwin, Alberta
From: Alberta RCMP

Content

Ponoka/Wetaskiwin, Alta. - On April 2, 2026, at approximately 8:40 p.m., Ponoka RCMP responded to a report of a liquor theft at a local liquor store. Surveillance footage captured two females and one male leaving the store with more than $1,000 worth of stolen alcohol.

On April 15, 2026, at approximately 5:30 p.m., Wetaskiwin RCMP responded to a robbery at a local liquor store. Surveillance captured a male and female leaving the store with stolen liquor. The suspects fled the area in a black Kia Sportage.

Following the Wetaskiwin incident, the Wetaskiwin Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) assumed carriage of the investigation. Through review of surveillance footage, suspect descriptions, and investigative follow-up, CRU members were able to link the individuals involved in the Wetaskiwin robbery to the earlier theft reported in Ponoka.

On April 16, 2026, at approximately 10:00 a.m., as part of the ongoing investigation, CRU members located the suspect vehicle parked outside a residence in on Louis Bull First Nation. Through coordinated efforts and follow-up investigation, RCMP members identified and located the suspects at a nearby residence. As a result of these investigations, the following individuals have been charged:

The first individual is a 38-year-old resident of Calgary, has been charged with: 

• Robbery
• Theft Under $5,000 (Shoplifting) x2

They were also arrested on 97 outstanding charges from Calgary Police Service, along with one additional charge from Maskwacis RCMP.

Second individual was a 34-year-old resident of Maskwacis, Alta., has been charged with: 

• Robbery
• Theft Under $5,000 (Shoplifting)

Third individual, a 27-year-old resident of Maskwacis, Alta., has been charged with two counts of theft under $5,000 (Shoplifting). 

The first individual was held for a Judicial Interim Release (JIR) hearing and was remanded into custody to appear in Alberta Court of Justice in Wetaskiwin on April 23, 2026. 

The second individual was held for a Judicial Interim Release (JIR) hearing and was released on conditions to appear in Alberta Court of Justice in Wetaskiwin on April 23, 2026. 

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of the third suspect. 

“Retail theft and repeat offending have a direct impact on businesses and community safety,” said Cpl. John Learn. “Through coordinated efforts between our detachments, we were able to quickly identify those responsible and take enforcement action. We will continue to target repeat offenders and hold them accountable.”

Contacts