(HALIBURTON, ON) – On Sunday November 03, 2013 at approximately 4:00 pm officers from the Haliburton Highlands Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were dispatched to a stolen excavator on Loop Road in Wilberforce, Municipality of Highlands East Ontario. Witnesses had observed a male party steal a John Deere excavator that was at the work site for the new Wilberforce Public Library Branch. The excavator was driven in an erratic manner onto Loop Road and proceeded to strike numerous guardrails, and cause damage. The excavator eventually got stuck on Dark Lake Road at which time the male operator fled on foot. OPP officers arrived at the scene and with the assistance of witnesses were able to conducted a search and locate the male. Steven HONDERICH, age 53 of Dysart et al, Ontario is charged with the following criminal offences:
Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle
Driving a Motor Vehicle with Over 80 mgs of Alcohol in 100 mls of Blood
Impaired Operation of a Motor Vehicle
Driving while Disqualified
Theft of a Motor Vehicle Over $5000
The accused is scheduled for a bail hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice in Lindsay Ontario on November 04, 2103.
