South Simcoe Police nabbed a suspect after a stolen U-Haul crashed.
Around 5 p.m. on Friday, police spotted a U-Haul pickup truck in a retail plaza parking lot in the area of Holland Street in Bradford West Gwillimbury. The truck had been reported stolen a day earlier in Burlington. Using information provided by Halton Regional Police, officers set up a surveillance to safely track the suspect.
The suspect returned to the truck soon after and drove westbound on County Road 88, but was involved in a collision near the 5th Sideroad. Police say he ditched the vehicle and ran into a backyard in Bond Head, where he was arrested.
Police credit members of the public for their assistance by providing real-time updates to 9-1-1 about the vehicle and the suspect's movements.
Investigators say further investigation resulted in the discovery of a large quantity of stolen clothing, suspected drugs, and tools believed to have been used to steal the pickup.
A 34-year-old man from Guelph has been charged with:
- Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 (motor vehicle)
- Theft under $5,000
- Possession of property obtained by crime (retail merchandise)
- Possession of a schedule 1 substance (methamphetmine)
- Operation while prohibited
- Operation while impaired
- Fail to stop after an accident
- Driving while under criminal code suspension - Highway Traffic Act
- Possession of cannabis over the legal limit - Cannabis Act
- Possession of illicit cannabis - Cannabis Act
- Driving while under suspension - Highway Traffic Act
Police say the suspect was also wanted on outstanding warrants with both the Guelph Police Service and Ontario Provincial Police for similar offences.
The accused was held in custody pending a bail hearing.
"Through coordinated police work and public assistance, officers quickly brought the incident to a successful and safe conclusion, with no injuries to members of the public or police. The South Simcoe Police Service thanks the public for their assistance and recognizes the coordinated efforts of patrol officers, investigative services, and communications operations," police said in a news release.
