(MUNICIPALITY OF PERTH SOUTH, ON) On Saturday April 30, 2011 shortly after 7:30 p.m. a Perth County OPP officer observed an all terrain vehicle being operated in an unsafe manner and committing numerous violations. The ATV had been travelling in a field and on James St. N. in St.Marys.
The officer activated his marked cruisers emergency lighting while driving on Perth Road 130, indicating for the ATV operator to stop. The ATV continued north past Glass St. and continued northbound along Perth Road 130 driving into the ditch area at Line 11. The officer stopped his cruiser on the West side of Perth Road 130 as the ATV operator was turning his machine around. Before the officer was able to exit his cruiser the ATV operator accelerated his ATV towards the police cruiser ramming the driver’s side door. The operator then reversed the ATV in an attempt to evade police, at this time the officer was able to exit his vehicle and identify the operator.
The officer directed the ATV operator to stop, and grabbed on to the operator who immediately sped off dragging the officer. The officer let go and the ATV operator drove away in a west bound direction on Line 11.
At 8 p.m. Tyson VanArkel (27) of St.Marys was arrested at his residence. He has been charged with “flight from policeâ€, “assault a peace officerâ€, “dangerous operation-motor vehicleâ€, and for “failing to remain at the scene of an accidentâ€.
He is to appear in Stratford bail court on Monday May 02, 2011.