Two men charged following armed robbery in Ponoka

PONOKA -- An investigation into an armed robbery from May 2025 has resulted in two arrests. 

Ponoka RCMP say the incident occurred shortly after midnight on May 17, 2025, and involved two masked suspects committing an armed robbery at the Royal Hotel in Ponoka. The initial suspect was alleged to have entered the bar area with a firearm, before stealing a cash box. The suspect was chased out of the bar by two intervening patrons, and a second armed suspect then threatened the patrons.

During their months-long investigation, RCMP were able to obtain surveillance of the suspects. They were identified as 24-year-old Garren Okeymow and 27-year-old Traytyn Okeymow, both residents of Ponoka. Garren was arrested on September 4, 2025, and had his first court appearance a day later. Traytyn was already in custody on other matters, and will have his new charges brought forward on September 12, 2025, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Ponoka.

"These investigations demonstrate the effectiveness of the collaborative efforts between our general duty members and our in-house GIS Unit to not only identify offenders in our community who victimize others, but also in being able to bring them before the courts to be held accountable for their criminal actions," said Staff Sergeant Erin St-Cyr.

Both men are facing multiple charges, including robbery and possession of a firearm for a dangerous purpose.