(MIDDLESEX COUNTY, ON) – On September 3, 2016, at approximately 11:06 a.m., the Middlesex County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) stopped a motor vehicle on Highway 401 west bound, near Wonderland Road, in the City of London, Ontario, but the black Audi car sped off prior to police coming in contact with the driver. The car was determined to have been reported as stolen from Alberta, Canada.
Later that day, at approximately 3:11 p.m., Lambton County OPP officers attempted to stop the same suspect vehicle travelling on Highway 402 east bound, near Highway 21, in Plympton-Wyoming, Ontario, but the vehicle failed to stop for police.
On September 4, 2016, at approximately 8:40 a.m., the suspect vehicle was reported to be involved in a theft of fuel at a gas station on London Line, in Plympton-Wyoming, Ontario. The vehicle again failed to stop for police.
Police conducted further investigation, and at approximately 11:05 a.m. on September 4, 2016, the vehicle was located in the area of Gainsborough Road, near Denfield Road, in Middlesex Centre, Ontario. The vehicle attempted to flee by travelling northbound on Denfield Road, where a spike belt was successfully deployed by police, and the suspect vehicle was subsequently stopped. The 20-year-old male driver and his 17-year-old female passenger were arrested without incident.
As a result of the police investigations, Wade BERNHARDT, from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, Ontario, has been charged under the Criminal Code of Canada with:
flight while pursued by peace officer (x3)
possession property obtained by crime under $5000 – in Canada (x2)
theft under $5000
dangerous operation of motor vehicle
assault with a weapon
The 17-year-old female, from Brooks, Alberta, has been charged with possession of property obtained by crime under $5000 – in Canada (x2), and theft under $5000, contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada. The youth cannot be identified as per provisions in the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA).
Both of the accused persons have been held in custody, and are scheduled to appear in the London courts to answer to their respective charges.