Tips from the public informed Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) of the whereabouts of a vehicle they were pursuing after the driver ignored officers' attempts to conduct a traffic stop around 11 a.m. Friday in the area of Taylor Road and Depot Drive in Bracebridge.
OPP say the vehicle fled at a high rate of speed onto Highway 11 southbound.
"Officers were able to monitor the vehicle's whereabouts as it exited and then re-entered Highway 11 South and ultimately turned onto Pinedale Road in Gravenhurst where officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop," according to a police news release.
The driver did not pull over for police and officers halted the pursuit as they were in a busy residential neighbourhood.
"Members of the public, however, were paying close attention and provided information to police about the vehicle's direction of travel, and ultimately a resident with a keen eye reported that the suspicious vehicle was in his neighbourhood," the news release stated.
The vehicle was found in a driveway and when officers approached, the motorist attempted to flee again, narrowly missing a police cruiser, and the car became stuck in a snowbank. Undeterred, the driver fled on foot as officers arrested the female passenger.
The OPP K-9 Unit and OPP Emergency Response Team conducted a search and a suspect was taken into custody.
A 29-year-old man from Espanola has been charged with the following:
- Dangerous Operation CC 320.13(1)
- Flight from Peace Officer CC 320.17
- Operation while Prohibited under the Criminal Code CC 320.18(1)(a) X 2
- Fail to Comply with Release Order CC 145(5)(a) X 3
- Break and Enter CC 348(1)(b)
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime CC 354(1)(a) X 2
- Possession of Break In Instruments CC 351(1)
- Theft Over $5000 CC 334(b)
- Possession of Schedule I (Methamphetamine) CDSA 4(1)
A 20-year-old woman from Sables-Spanish Rivers Township has been charged with:
- Possession of Break In Instruments CC 351(1)
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime CC 355(b) X 2
- Possession of Schedule I (Methamphetamine) CDSA 4(1)
Both suspects were held in custody and have a bail hearing on Saturday.
