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Joffre pair charged after stealing bait car planted by Ponoka Mounties

Mar 27, 2018 | 11:25 AM

Local Mounties put out the bait and a young couple from Joffre bit, leading to a long list of charges against the pair.  

Ponoka RCMP say they started an investigation after a bait car they planted at a local business on the morning of March 11 was stolen.

With assistance from Red Deer RCMP Police Dog Services, Ponoka Mounties were able to track and intercept the bait car near Joffre and arrest a male and female suspect inside it.

Further investigation revealed the pair stole the bait car and drove it to a rural property near Gull Lake where they committed numerous break and enters and thefts.

A day earlier, on March 10, police say the same male and female were involved when a truck stolen from Rocky Mountain House was in a collision on Highway 53 near Range Road 235. The truck rolled in the ditch and a male and female suspect fled the scene. A short time later police say the pair attended two separate farm properties and attempted to break in to numerous buildings and steal a vehicle until they were confronted by the property owners.  

Charges against Spencer Black, 20, and Shyla Loustel, 22, include two counts each of trespassing at night, driving while disqualified, theft of a motor vehicle, possession of break in instruments, mischief to property over $5,000 and break and enter to commit theft.

Black and Loustel are also charged with break and enter with intent to commit theft, possession of a controlled substance (Methamphetamine), possession of stolen property over $5,000, and for failing to remain at or report a collision.

Black was remanded in custody and will appear next in Ponoka Provincial Court on April 13.

Loustel was released on her own recognizance to appear in Ponoka Provincial Court on March 23. She failed to appear and consequently a warrant for her arrest was issued. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call Ponoka RCMP or their local police service.