(MATTAWA) – A 36-year-old Mattawa area resident has been charged after an early-morning traffic stop conducted by the North Bay Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
On Saturday, April 4, 2026, at approximately 3:10 a.m., an officer from the North Bay OPP conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on McConnell Street in Mattawa after observing unusual driving behaviour, and a dirty plate cover that rendered the licence plate unreadable.
During the interaction, the officer observed signs consistent with impairment by drugs. The driver was arrested and transported to the North Bay OPP detachment for further testing. Police also confirmed that the driver’s licence was under suspension.
Further investigation revealed that the vehicle did not belong to the driver and had been confirmed stolen by the owner. During a Drug Recognition Evaluation (DRE), the accused refused to comply with a portion of the evaluation.
As a result of the investigation, Chad LATIMER, 36 years of age, of Papineau-Cameron Township, has been charged with:
· Operation while impaired – drugs
· Failure or refusal to comply with a demand
· Theft of a motor vehicle
· Driving while under suspension
· Obstructed licence plate
The accused was released following a bail hearing and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in North Bay on May 12, 2026. The driver was also issued a 90-day Administrative Driver’s Licence Suspension (ADLS).