A 30-year-old man faces 27 charges following an incident where a vehicle was stolen at knifepoint Monday morning.
Police say the ordeal began at 10:10 when the car was swiped from a resident of Eugenia Street after he had backed it out of his garage.
The suspect "sped off and was observed to be operating the motor vehicle at excessive speeds and in a very dangerous manner," officers wrote in a release.
They found the car in the west ditch near Berczy and Codrington Streets and say as the driver was able to free it, he struck a police cruiser turning westbound onto Codrington Street.
"The male suspect continued to drive in a dangerous manner having no regard for police, or members of the public and there were numerous attempts made by police to safely stop the stolen vehicle."
Officers were able to finally stop the suspect driver on Penetanguishene Road, just south of Cheltenham Road. He was taken into custody and transported back to Barrie Police Headquarters where the investigation continued.
"This incident concluded with no injuries to any member of the public or the Barrie Police Service but had the potential for a far more serious outcome," police stated. "In the end, the stolen car had sustained significant damage and three marked Barrie Police cruisers were damaged."
The accused is up on a slew of charges including:
- Robbery
- Utter Threats - Cause Death or Bodily Harm
- Assault with a Weapon (six counts)
- Dangerous Operation
- Mischief over $5000 (four counts)
- Operation while Impaired by Alcohol or Drug
- Flight from Police and Obstruct Peace Officer
He has been held in custody pending a bail hearing today.
Banner image via Micahel Chorney / At the Scene Photography
