From the air and on the ground, South Simcoe Police (SSP) made sure they were going to reel in a suspect who fled not once but twice from officers during attempted traffic stops.
This began around 11:30 on Saturday morning, according to police, when an officer near Innisfil Beach Road and 20th Sideroad noticed an SUV with expired licence plates.
"Officers attempted a traffic stop; however, the driver failed to stop and fled at a high rate of speed. For public safety reasons, the pursuit was terminated. A second attempt to stop the same vehicle was made a short time later, and once again the driver failed to stop for police, according to a SSP media release.
Police say the vehicle was later found abandoned near Reid Avenue and Fern Road in Innisfil.
Officers spotted fresh footprints in the snow leading to a nearby wooded area.
A police drone and the canine unit were deployed to assist with the search. With reports from the public, the police zeroed in on an area near Belle Aire Beach Park, where the drone located the suspect on the ice. For safety reasons, officers kept tabs on the guy remotely under he came off the ice.
A 54-year-old Innisfil man was taken into custody.
Police say the accused was prohibited from operating a motor vehicle.
He was charged with one count of taking a motor vehicle without consent and two counts each of operation while prohibited, flight from police, and dangerous operation.
The suspect was held for a bail hearing.
