(ELGIN COUNTY, ON) – On July 26, 2017 around 12:00p.m. Elgin County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers responded to a report of a stolen vehicle being driven erratically. The vehicle was reported to be travelling Eastbound on the 401 towards Rodney, Ontario.
Chatham-Kent OPP officers located the vehicle on the 401 and attempted to bring the vehicle to a safe stop. The driver of the vehicle made numerous attempts to elude police, crossing the center median barrier on the 401and going the wrong way into oncoming traffic. Due to public safety concerns the pursuit was called off.
Police received additional information that the accused made attempts at forcing other peoples out of their vehicles in the Rodney area on Furnival road. The accused was not successful and no one was injured.
The suspect vehicle and driver were observed around 3:00 p.m. in the area of Plank Line, Oxford County where it is alleged he stole a different vehicle. Police recovered the previously stolen vehicle in this area.
Around 8:00 p.m. in Brant County, the accused was involved in an alleged theft of gas in St. George, Ontario.
On July 27, 2017 at approximately 7:30 a.m. Wellington County OPP officers responded to a suspicious person call in Arthur Ontario. The suspect involved in the aforementioned incidents was located and arrested without incident in Arthur, Ontario.
25-year-old Claudio TOPULLI of Windsor Ontario has been charged with the following offences:
– Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle contrary to section 249(1)(a) of the Criminal Code
– Flight while pursued by police contrary to section 249.1(1) of the Criminal Code
– Possession of property obtained by crime over 5,000 contrary to section 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code x 2
– Theft over $5,000 of a motor vehicle contrary to section 334(a) of the Criminal Code x 2
– Fail to stop at scene of an accident contrary to section 252 of the Criminal Code
– Robbery with intent contrary to section 344(1)(b) of the Criminal Code x 3
– Intimidation while following on a highway contrary to section 423(1)(e) of the Criminal Code
The accused was held for a bail hearing at Guelph Criminal Court.