(MUNICIPALITY OF WEST PERTH, ON) – On Thursday July 28, 2016, around 2 a.m. a car was stopped at a Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Reduce Impaired Drivers Everywhere (RIDE) program in Monkton. The male driver was spoken to by police and was asked to pull the vehicle over onto the shoulder. Instead of pulling over, the driver drove off at a high rate of speed in an eastbound direction on Perth Line 55.
A short time later, officers located the vehicle, a Ford Focus, abandoned in the south ditch along Perth Road 119 West of Brunner. The male driver and the female passenger of the car had run into a farmer’s field and eluded police. The OPP West Region canine unit and the OPP West Region Emergency Response Team assisted in the search for the two vehicle occupants.
Shortly after 7 a.m. a call from a citizen alerted police to a possible location of the two individuals south of Brunner. Within minutes, officers in the area observed the male and female. A short foot pursuit ensued and both individuals were arrested.
A 26-year-old male resident of Stratford has been charged with the following Criminal Code of Canada offences:
Possession Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000
Fail to Comply with Recognizance (X2)
Dangerous Operation of Motor Vehicle
Flight while Pursued by Peace Officer
He has also been charged with the following Highway Traffic Act of Ontario offences:
Driving while under suspension
Fail to stop for Police [PURSUIT]
Fail to remain
Drive motor vehicle not equipped with an approved ignition interlock device
He was held in custody and is to appear at a bail hearing in Stratford Court on Friday July 29, 2016.
A 20-year-old female resident of Stratford has been charged with “possession property obtained by crime under $5,000”, contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada. She has been released on a “Promise to Appear”, and will have to attend the Stratford Court of Justice on August 29, 2016, to answer to this charge.
The Perth County OPP encourages anyone who observes “suspicious” activity, people or vehicles to report it to police immediately by contacting them at 1-888-310-1122 or by calling 911. If you wish to remain anonymous you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) where you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.
