(GODERICH, ON) – Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) investigated an attempted theft that took place in Goderich on February 25, 2023, at a business on Huron Road.
On Saturday, February 25, at approximately 8:00 p.m., Huron County OPP was contacted by a store manager who called to report an attempted theft of approximately $4,000 worth of goods that had just taken place. One male suspect had reportedly removed numerous items from the store and attempted to leave without paying, only to be confronted by an observant citizen. The would-be-thief fled without the items and drove through the parking lot, then westbound onto Huron Road towards Goderich.
OPP officers patrolled for the suspect vehicle which was located by an officer north of Goderich. The suspect vehicle was followed at a safe distance until other officers were able to get into position to deploy a tire deflation device. Officers successfully deployed the device just west of Blyth. The suspect vehicle continued for a short distance until the tires deflated, at which point, they fled on foot.
Police converged to the area of North Huron (Blyth) and deployed the OPP K-9 unit, as well as members of the OPP Emergency Response Team (ERT).
A local resident advised police of a suspicious person that had been in the area, and soon after, the OPP K-9 unit located the involved suspect just East of Blyth. The suspect was arrested and transported to the Huron OPP detachment for processing and held for a bail hearing.
Timothy COYNE, 47 years-of-age from Waterloo has been charged with the following offences:
– Theft Under $5,000 – Shoplifting,
– Flight From Peace Officer,
– Possession of Stolen Property Under $5,000,
– Dangerous Operation,
– Uttering Threats to Cause Death or Bodily Harm,
– Fail to Comply with Probation Order.
The accused was also charged under the Highway Traffic Act and Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act for Driving while Under Suspension, Fail to Stop for Stop Sign, Drive Motor Vehicle – No Plates, and Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Insurance.
If you have any information about this incident, please contact Huron OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or (519) 482-1677.