A Guelph man is facing numerous charges after police recovered a stolen U-Haul truck and arrested a suspect following a collision and foot pursuit in Bradford West Gwillimbury.
The South Simcoe Police Service says officers were conducting proactive patrol around 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 6th near Holland Street when they spotted a white U-Haul pickup truck parked in a retail plaza. The vehicle had been reported stolen earlier in the day from Burlington.
Police determined the vehicle had recently been driven and obtained a description of the suspect from the Halton Regional Police Service. Officers from uniform patrol, traffic and marine, and street crime units established surveillance in the area in an effort to safely apprehend the suspect.
A short time later, the suspect returned to the vehicle and drove westbound on County Road 88 before the truck was involved in a collision near 5th Sideroad. Police say the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot into a residential area of Bond Head, where officers quickly located and arrested the suspect in a backyard without incident.
Investigators say a large quantity of stolen clothing, suspected drugs and tools believed to have been used to steal the vehicle were found during the investigation.
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 I Substance (Methamphetamine)
- Operation While Prohibited
- Operation While Impaired (Alcohol and Drugs)
- Fail to Stop After an Accident
- Driving While Under Criminal Code Suspension
- Possession of Cannabis Over the Legal Limit
- Possession of Illicit Cannabis
- Driving while under suspension
Police say the accused was also wanted on outstanding warrants with both the Guelph Police Service and the Ontario Provincial Police for similar offences. He was held in custody pending a bail hearing.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact South Simcoe Police at 905-775-3311 or 705-436-2141, or provide anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers.
