Police in St. Thomas, Ont. say a man is in custody after what they call a ‘harrowing overnight incident.’
Officials say a pick-up truck was spotted at 1:30 a.m. Tuesday travelling north on First Avenue at an unusually low speed.
When an officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop, the vehicle turned abruptly into a driveway. Officials say when they attempted to speak to the lone driver, he put the truck in reverse and rammed the police cruiser.
The suspect then drove up onto a neighbouring lawn, fleeing northbound on First Avenue at a high rate of speed, said police.
The suspect came upon a dead-end street and raced westbound on Locust Street, narrowly missing a head-on collision with a responding police cruiser, according to officials.
The truck then traveled up on a curb to avoid the collision and sped south on First Avenue.
Police used a spike belt, which caused two tires to deflate.
A short distance later, the truck stopped and police say the suspect fled the vehicle on foot.
Police chased the man on foot and arrested him a short distance away.
Investigation revealed the truck had been stolen from London Ont., and the suspect was a suspended driver.
Officials say there were no injuries in this incident.
A 23-year-old St. Thomas man is facing several charges including:
- 2 Counts of Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle
- Fail to Stop at the Scene of an Accident
- Flight from Police
- 2 Counts of Breach of an Undertaking
- Prohibited Driving
- Possession of Stolen Property
- Drive While Under Suspension