(MUNICIPALITY OF WEST PERTH, ON) On Monday morning January 31, 2011, at approximately 5:15 a.m., Perth County OPP officers were dispatched to a residence on Line 26 east of Carlingford where a home owner just had his ATV stolen.
The home owner reported to police that while he was asleep shortly after 5 a.m. he heard his ATV which was parked in the yard start-up. He got up and saw his ATV being driven towards Line 26. The home owner ran outside, got into his truck and followed the ATV. The ATV drove east on Line 26 and north on Road 140. North of Line 29 the ATV driver ditched the machine and ran into a busy area.
Police attended and secured the location where the suspect had last been seen.
The OPP Western Region Canine Unit and the OPP Emergency Response Team attended and searched the area for the suspect. The male suspect was located just before 7:30 a.m. A 22 year old male from St.Marys was arrested for theft under $5000. The male was immediately transported to the Stratford General Hospital where he was treated for exposure to the extremely cold temperature (-23° C).
The ATV was recovered and has been returned to the owner.