(MIDDLESEX COUNTY, ON) – On June 26, 2017 at approximately 2:00am a member of the Middlesex County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) initiated a traffic stop on Longwoods Road, near Westdel Bourne, City of London.
The vehicle continued to travel westbound at/near the posted speed limit. The officer passed the suspect vehicle in an attempt to get the driver’s attention. The vehicle suddenly maneuvered and struck the police cruiser. The vehicle failed to stop for police. The officer did not suffer injuries and the OPP cruiser sustained minor damage.
The OPP officer terminated the Police Apprehension Pursuit (SAP) after contact was made with the fleeing vehicle.
Middlesex OPP units, assisted by members of the Chippewas of the Thames Police Service (PS), Oneida Nation of the Thames First Nation PS and the Munsee Delaware Nation PS responded to the area.
A Tire Deflation Device (TDD) was successfully deployed by a responding officer. Moments later, the vehicle came to a controlled stop and a lone male was arrested without incident.
The investigation revealed that the 1998 Dodge pick-up truck had been reported stolen to the Elgin County OPP on June 25, 2017.
As a result of the investigation and the collaboration between multiple police services, 18-year-old, Dakota BLYDE of Southwest Middlesex has been charged with:
Flight while Pursued by Peace Officer
Dangerous Operation of Motor Vehicle
Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000
Possession Break In Instruments
Drive motor vehicle – no licence – HTA
The accused was held in police custody and scheduled to appear in a London court house on June 26th, 2017.