Just after 7:00 a.m. this morning, March 5, 2024, officers were dispatched to an establishment on Elm Street in relation to a motor vehicle collision and dangerous driving incident. Information provided was that a vehicle had struck the front of the building and the driver had attempted to hit an employee with the vehicle before fleeing the scene. The employee was not injured.

Officers located the vehicle on Santala Road in Walden where the driver began doing donuts in a field causing substantial damage to the property. The driver then drove through the bush to evade police. Additional officers arrived on scene. The driver began to rev the engine of the vehicle and then attempted to hit an officer who was on foot.

The driver drove the vehicle down Santala Road and onto MR55 in an erratic manner. Out of a concern for public safety, officers did not pursue the vehicle, however the vehicle was last seen driving in and out of on coming traffic traveling westbound on MR55. The vehicle was then seen turning on to Reserve Road.

Patrol officers set-up a perimeter in the area while members of the Emergency Response Unit began checking off-roads. Officers located the vehicle and were able to make a high-risk vehicle stop blocking the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle began resisting officers; however, officers were able to take the driver into custody.

The 47-year-old man has been charged with the following offences under the Criminal Code of Canada;

  • Assault Peace Officer with a Weapon
  • Assault with a Weapon x3
  • Fail to Stop for Police
  • Resist Peace Officer
  • Flight from Police
  • Fail to Remain at the Scene of a Collision
  • Dangerous Driving  
  • Mischief Over $5,000 x2  
  • Driving while Prohibited x2
  • Driving while Suspended x3
  • Breach of Probation x2

He will be held in custody and will appear in Bail Court to answer to the charges. His name cannot be released at this time as the information has not been sworn to through the court process.

We would like to thank the Ontario Provincial Police and the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek Police Service for the assistance with this matter.  

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