Alix, Alta. – On Dec. 20, 2019 the Bashaw RCMP launched an investigation into an armed robbery at the ATB Financial Agency.
The alleged robber fled on a snowmobile. Police had responded to the robebery around 11:15 a.m. A masked man wearing gloves walked into the branch armed with a long-barrelled gun and a machete. The suspect demanded cash and fled with an undisclosed amount of money.
On Dec. 23, a man who was in custody at the Ponoka RCMP detachment on an unrelated investigation was identified as the suspect.
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On Dec. 24, the Bashaw RCMP with the assistance of Ponoka RCMP General Investigation Section obtained a search warrant for the suspect’s rural property which is east of Ponoka. The search warrant was executed through the night into Dec. 25 by the Bashaw RCMP with the assistance of members from Ponoka and Maskwacis detachments. Evidence linking the suspect to the armed robbery was collected.
Michael Allan Richter (40) of Ponoka has been charged with 10 criminal offences in relation to the armed robbery including; robbery with a firearm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose (x2), possession of a firearm while prohibited, fail to comply with a Probation Order (x2).
At the time of his arrest, Richter was wanted on outstanding warrants for other matters. Richter was remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear at Red Deer Provincial Court on Jan. 2.