Man charged after allegedly fleeing from police, striking police cruiser in Barrie

Police say a man from LaSalle is facing a number of charges after allegedly fleeing police in a stolen vehicle.

Barrie police say officers received a report of a possible impaired driver in Innisfil just before 1 a.m., Tuesday morning.

Officers say the driver allegedly failed to stop for the South Simcoe police on two occasions and left the Innisfil area, continuing north towards Barrie.

According to police, officers determined the suspect was driving an SUV which had been reported stolen.

Numerous attempts were made by the Barrie police and South Simcoe police to stop the vehicle, but due to the dangerous manner in which the vehicle was being driven, the effort was called off, according to authorities.

Police say a short time later, the vehicle struck a marked Barrie police cruiser in the Bayfield Street and Dunlop Street area of Barrie, before continuing towards Grove Street East.

Officers say the suspect pulled the vehicle into the rear parking area of an apartment complex and became stuck in snow along the west side of the building.

Police say the suspect attempted to flee the area on foot, but was apprehended by the Barrie police canine unit a short distance away.

Officers say the driver, a 27-year-old man from LaSalle, has been charged with two counts of dangerous driving, three counts of flight from police, two counts of failure to remain, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and breach of probation.

The accused is scheduled to appear in court in Barrie on Tuesday.