Shelter-in-place order lifted for ‘armed and dangerous’ suspect in Ponoka County: police

RCMP lifted Monday a critical alert and shelter-in-place order that was put in place for Ponoka County Sunday evening.

The RCMP issued a critical alert for an “armed and dangerous” suspect Sunday.

RCMP said they conducted an exhaustive investigation with the help of many surrounding communities such as officers from Ponoka, Maskwacis, Red Deer, Wetaskiwin, Bashaw and Leduc but they were unsuccessful in locating the suspect, Zachary Dylan Littlechild.

RCMP are asking residents of the Ponoka and Maskwacis areas to remain watchful as the search for the suspect continues.

Additional patrols will be out to ensure public safety, RCMP said.

The alert was issued on Sunday for everyone within 20 kilometres of Township Road 422 and Range Road 245A in Ponoka County, including everyone in Maskwacis.

In a news release, RCMP said officers were at a rural location near Township Road 422 and Range Road 245A in Ponoka County to search for and arrest an armed suspect.

Mounties urged residents to shelter in place, secure all windows and doors and to not pick up anyone on the roadway.

At around 8:36 p.m., Ponoka RCMP issued another news release, saying officers were searching for an armed suspect last seen in the area and urged residents to be vigilant and cautious.

RCMP said officers are looking for Maskwacis resident Zachary Dylan Littlechild, 30, who is described as:

Mounties told residents not to approach Littlechild and call 9-1-1 immediately because he is allegedly “armed and dangerous.”

by Global News