A man faces charges following an incident involving a stolen vehicle near Port Elgin early Wednesday morning.
The ordeal began just before 4 a.m. when officers responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in the area of Amanda’s Way.
Saugeen Shores police later located a truck and trailer driving on Bruce Road 33. Police say officers attempted to stop the truck however, once it stopped, the driver then accelerated rapidly, crashed into a police vehicle and pushed the cruiser for around 24 metres.
Officers say the suspect then reversed and hit a second cruiser causing damage to both before driving into a ditch, striking a hydro pole and continuing for another 63 metres. Police were able t0 pin the truck to prevent the man from driving any further.
“Police conducted a high-risk gun-point arrest. As officers were directing the driver to exit the vehicle, they observed him begin to consume suspected drugs,” a release from Saugeen Shores police read. “The driver ignored police commands and the window of the suspect vehicle was smashed to gain control of the driver and pull him from the vehicle, effecting his arrest.”
During the incident, an officer suffered minor injuries to his neck and back. No other injuries were reported.
A search of the man turned up suspected cocaine police said. Further investigation revealed that the vehicle and trailer the suspect was driving were stolen.
As a result, a 44-year-old man of no fixed address faces numerous charges including theft over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime, dangerous operation, flight from a peace officer, assaulting a peace officer with a weapon, possession of a schedule I substance, operation while impaired and several other charges.
The man was also wanted by several other municipal police agencies in Ontario and British Columbia. He remains in police custody pending a court hearing.
