DRIVER ARRESTED AFTER FLEEING FROM POLICE

(MIDDLESEX COUNTY, ON) – A male driver is facing numerous charges after his vehicle fled from police in the City of London.

On September 9, 2014 at approximately 11:01 p.m., members of the Middlesex County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) initiated a traffic stop on Merlin Crescent in the City of London. At the time of the stop, police soon discovered the male driver had been drinking.

Officers attempted to place the driver under arrest at the scene, at which time the male resisted arrest. The suspect fled the scene at a high rate of speed in his van, which was hauling a trailer that had been reported stolen to the London Police Service.

A Suspect Apprehension Pursuit (SAP) was initiated as the suspect male continued to operate his motor vehicle and trailer dangerously through numerous residential neighbourhoods. The suspect vehicle struck the police cruiser and was eventually stopped on Florence Street near Highbury Avenue. As officers attempted to arrest the driver, he drove his motor vehicle at an officer outside of their cruiser, and again fled the area. The vehicle was eventually stopped by police on Burslem Street, where the suspect driver fled on foot.

Officers pursued the suspect on foot and apprehended the male at a nearby residence. The suspect male was transported to the Middlesex County OPP detachment for breath tests, where he refused to provide a breath sample.

As a result of the investigation, police have charged the accused, Shawn WALKER, age 48, of London, Ontario, with numerous related offences under the Criminal Code of Canada (CC) and Highway Traffic Act (HTA) including:

Driving while ability impaired – motor vehicle
Resist peace officer
Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
Flight while pursued by peace officer
Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000
Driving while disqualified – court order
Fail or refuse to provide sample
Assault with a weapon

He was further charged under the Highway Traffic Act, with two counts of use plate not authorized for vehicle.

The accused is being held in custody and will be appearing before a Justice in London, ON, to speak to the charges on September 12, 2014.

The police cruiser sustained substantial damage but the responding officers were not injured during the investigation. The Middlesex OPP Crime Unit continues to investigate this incident.

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