NEWS RELEASE
BARRIE POLICE SERVICE
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What began as a report of a possible impaired driver in the area of Galloway Street in the Town of Innisfil at 12:49 a.m. this morning ended with the Barrie police canine unit apprehending a fleeing suspect on Grove Street East in the City of Barrie, just 22 minutes later.
A 27-year old male from LaSalle, Ont., is appearing at the Ontario Court of Justice located in Barrie today to answer to a slew of charges as his driving behaviour was far from acceptable.
After failing to stop for the South Simcoe Police Service (SSPS) on two occasions, the driver of what has been determined to be stolen sport utility vehicle left the Innisfil area and continued north toward Barrie.
Working together, the South Simcoe Police Service and the Barrie Police Service made numerous attempts to stop the fleeing vehicle, but due to the dangerous manner in which the vehicle was being operated, the collaborative effort had to be called off.
A short time later, the fleeing vehicle struck a marked Barrie police cruiser at Bayfield and Dunlop streets, the vehicle continued to the area of Grove Street East where the driver attempted to elude the police.
Police units in the area observed the vehicle pull into the rear parking area of an apartment complex and quickly responded as the vehicle again attempted to flee.
With the help of Mother Nature, the driver eventually got stuck in some snow along the west side of the building and desperately fled on foot, only to be apprehended by the Barrie police canine unit a few steps away.
As a result of the investigation that followed, the driver is now facing the following charges:
• dangerous driving (2 counts)
• flight from police officer (3 counts)
• fail to remain (2 counts)
• possession of a controlled substance (2 Counts)
• possession of property obtained by crime over $5000
• breach of probation
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