On Friday, July 16th at approximately 1:30 am, Huron OPP officers received a call of a suspicious pickup truck on Walton Road that had passed the complainant’s residence several times. Officers attended the area to look for the truck near Blyth. Upon arriving in the area, an officer located the truck and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. The driver did not wish to stop for police however. The vehicle fled.
Officers followed the suspect vehicle for a great length of time across country roads and through several towns. The vehicle even drove across grassy fields. At one point, the truck struck three large propane tanks near the Walton General Store as the driver backed up to flee from an officer. The tanks toppled over and due to the propane leak, the Brussels Fire Department was called and some residences were evacuated as a precaution. No one was injured from the leak.
The truck was confirmed to have been stolen from private property where it had been left unlocked with the keys in the ignition. The truck ended up going into a bean field and getting stuck near Walton Road and Brussels Line. Officers followed and when they arrived at the truck, it was still running and the driver had fled. The OPP Canine Unit along with Emergency Response Team members attempted to track the suspect but was unsuccessful. The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Huron OPP at 1-800-310-1122 or CRIME STOPPERS- 1-800-222-T.I.P.S. (8477).