(NORTH PERTH, ON) – A young male driver is facing several criminal charges after leading police on a lengthy chase throughout the counties of Huron and Perth early this morning. At approximately 12:20 a.m. a Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer observed a GMC Sierra pickup truck travelling southbound on Highway 23 with a burnt out headlight. The officer activated her emergency lights and the driver of the pickup momentarily pulled over to the shoulder of Highway 23 at Fairlane Road. As the officer approached the vehicle on foot the driver squealed his tires and fled south on Highway 23 into Listowel.
As officers were following the suspect vehicle they received information that the vehicle was reported stolen from Palmerston. The driver failed to stop for police and continued to drive dangerously through the towns of Listowel, Atwood, Ethel and Molesworth. The driver eventually returned to Listowel where he proceeded to drive over a spike belt. A short distance later he came to a stop on Main Street East and immediately fled from the pickup truck on foot. After a short foot chase officers were able to locate and arrest the fleeing male.
Police completed checks on the driver and learned he was currently serving a probation sentence with a condition to keep the peace and be of good behavior. Officers were also able to confirm the pickup truck was stolen from a residence in Palmerston on August 4, 2014.
As a result, Perth County OPP has charged 21 year old Dustin LUNZ, of Guelph with the following Criminal Code offences:
Flight While Pursued by Peace Officer
Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
Fail to Comply with Probation Order
He remains in custody with a court appearance scheduled for the Ontario Court of Justice – Stratford on August 20, 2014