Police arrest Ponoka man suspected in multiple rural break and enter crimes

From Blackfalds RCMP

Blackfalds and Bashaw RCMP arrest male after public tip received – 41 charges laid

“We appreciate successful outcomes when we utilize our specialized units such as Police Dog Services,” says Sergeant Bruce Holliday of the Bashaw RCMP Detachment. “This investigation drew on several components of our crime reduction strategy such as intelligence gathering, information sharing across jurisdictions and public assistance.”

On Aug. 29, 2018 at approximately 6:15 p.m., Blackfalds RCMP responded to a call from the public regarding a suspicious male near Joffre in Lacombe County. The male suspect who was later identified was on a rural property and appeared to be attempting to steal fuel.

He was located by police and then attempted to flee to a neighbouring vacant property. Police Dog Services (PDS) responded and containment of the area was set up. The suspect was tracked to an outbuilding where he had been hiding by PDS and arrested by Blackfalds and Bashaw RCMP members. He was transported to Blackfalds Detachment and treated by EMS for minor injuries sustained during his arrest.

The suspect was also found to be linked to several other investigations.

On Aug. 1, 2018 at approximately 12: 45 p.m., Bashaw RCMP were dispatched to a break and enter and vehicle theft from a rural property east of Bashaw. The suspect entered a residence and severely injured a dog and stole various items including a vehicle. He then returned to the same property after the vehicle broke down and proceeded to steal another vehicle. As a result of the severe injuries during the break and enter, the dog had to be euthanized.

Over the days and weeks that followed, the suspect was identified as being responsible for a number of rural break and enters and thefts in multiple jurisdictions including Bashaw, Wetaskiwin, Blackfalds and Rimbey. The assistance of the Forensic Identification Service (FIS) were utilized.

Michael Allan Richter (39) from Ponoka, who is known to police as a repeat offender, was remanded into custody. In addition to his 11 charges from the incident on Aug. 29, 2018, he was wanted on two outstanding warrants from Wetaskiwin and Bashaw. Police have laid a total of 41 charges on all incidents.

Some of the charges include:

Break and enter with intent – Business
Possession of break-in instruments
Resist/obstruct a peace officer
Possession of a Weapon while Prohibited
Possession of a prohibited weapon
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime less than or Equal to $5000.00 (x2)
Fail to comply with Probation Order (x4)

He was remanded into custody and will be appearing on Sept. 4, 2018 in Wetaskiwin and Red Deer Provincial Court.

Duane Rolheiser

After 15 years as a TV reporter with Global and CBC and as news director of RDTV in Red Deer, Duane set out on his own 2008 as a visual storyteller. During this period, he became fascinated with a burgeoning online world and how it could better serve local communities. This fascination led to Todayville, launched in 2016.

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Alberta

Integrated Border Enforcement Team makes 189 kg cocaine bust at Coutts port of entry

Published on December 30, 2024

Todayville

News release from Alberta RCMP

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers, working with the Integrated Border Enforcement Team (IBET) in Alberta, a joint force operation between the RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region, CBSA and Calgary Police Service, seized 189 kg of cocaine following a secondary examination of a commercial truck seeking entry at the Coutts port of entry on Nov. 13, 2024. The drugs have an approximate wholesale value of $2 million.

“The safety and security of Canadians is the RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region’s top priority. With the support of various law enforcement agencies, we’ve successfully prevented harmful drugs from entering Canada and harming our communities.

Supt. Sean Boser, Officer in Charge of Federal Serious Organized Crime and Border Integrity – Alberta, RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region

“I want to commend our CBSA officers who prevent illegal narcotics from breaching our borders and disrupt crime networks. In cooperation with our law enforcement partners, the RCMP and the Calgary Police Service, this significant seizure serves as another example of how Canada’s borders are being secured and drugs are kept off our streets.”

Ben Tame, Director, Southern Alberta and Southern Saskatchewan District, Canada Border Services Agency

“Our efforts to combat drug trafficking rely heavily on working closely with our partner law enforcement agencies, including the CBSA and RCMP. This is a significant seizure that undoubtedly had the potential to cause serious damage to our community.”

Supt. Jeff Bell, Criminal Operations & Intelligence Division, Calgary Police Service

IBET’s mandate is to enhance border integrity and security along the shared border, between designated ports of entry, by identifying, investigating and interdicting persons, organizations and goods that are involved in criminal activities.

All partners are engaged in the ongoing criminal investigation.

Alberta

Alberta government must do more to avoid red ink

Published on December 27, 2024

Todayville

From the Fraser Institute

By Tegan Hill

As Albertans look toward a new year, it’s worth reviewing the state of provincial finances. When delivering news last month of a projected $4.6 billion budget surplus for fiscal year 2024/25, the Smith government simultaneously warned Albertans that a budget deficit could be looming. Confused? A $4.6 billion budget surplus sounds like good news—but not when its on the back of historically high (and incredibly volatile) resource revenue.

In just the last 10 years, resource revenue, which includes oil and gas royalties, has ranged from a low of $3.4 billion in 2015/16 (inflation-adjusted) to a high of $26.1 billion in 2022/23. Inflation-adjusted resource revenue is projected to be relatively high in historical terms this fiscal year at $19.8 billion.

Resource revenue volatility is not in and of itself a problem. The problem is that provincial governments tend to increase spending when resource revenue is high, but do not similarly reduce spending when resource revenue declines.

Overall, in Alberta, a $1 increase in inflation-adjusted per-person resource revenue is associated with an estimated 56-cent increase in program spending the following fiscal year, but a decline in resource revenue is not similarly associated with a reduction in program spending. Over time, this pattern has contributed to historically high levels of government spending that exceed ongoing stable levels of government revenue.

And while the Smith government has shown some restraint, spending levels remain significantly higher than reliable ongoing levels of government revenue. Put simply, unpredictable resource revenue continues to help fund Alberta’s spending—and when resource revenues inevitably fall, Alberta is at high risk of plummeting into a deficit.

Indeed, Finance Minister Nate Horner continues to emphasize that we are “living in extremely volatile times” and warning that if oil prices fall below $70.00 per barrel a budget deficit is “very likely.” According to recent forecasts, the price of oil may hit $66.00 per barrel in 2025.

To avoid this fate, the Alberta government must do more to rein in spending. Fortunately, there’s plenty of options.

For example, the government spends billions in subsidies (a.k.a. corporate welfare) to select industries and businesses every year. A significant body of research shows these subsidies fail to generate widespread economic benefits. Eliminating this corporate welfare, which would generate significant savings in the budget, is a good place to start.

If the Smith government fails to rein in spending, and Alberta incurs a budget deficit, it will only mean more government debt on the backs of Albertans. And with Albertans already paying approximately $650 each in provincial government debt interest each year, that’s something Albertans simply can’t afford.

With a new year set to begin, the Smith government continues to warn of a budget deficit. But rather than simply prepare Albertans for more debt accumulation—financed by their tax dollars—the government should do more to avoid red ink. That means cutting wasteful government spending.