A 50-year-old Warkworth resident is facing more than a dozen charges after an investigation that started with a public tip about a collision, say Northumberland OPP.
The initial report from a member of the public came in Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, at about 4:45 p.m., when police responded to a vehicle involved in a collision on Johnston Road in the Municipality of Trent Hills, said police.
The caller advised that the driver was walking away from their vehicle, said police.
Officers said they patrolled the area and located the described individual at a nearby address.
At that point, the person then allegedly got into another vehicle they had access to and reversed into a police cruiser causing minimal damage. The driver then evaded officers who were attempting to stop the vehicle before dangerously driving away, said OPP.
There were no injuries reported.
Investigative avenues explored by OPP led to the identification of the individual and confirmation that they were prohibited from driving, said police.
On Wednesday, Aug. 14, at about 11:05 a.m., officers said they responded to a traffic complaint regarding a vehicle eastbound on County Road 22 in the Township of Alnwick/Haldimand. The description provided by the caller led police to believe it was the same driver sought from an incident the previous day, noted OPP.
Police said they then observed a vehicle matching the description parked off Jakobi Road in the Township of Cramahe.
According to OPP, the wanted individual then exited and waved down a passing vehicle asking for a ride as they had run out of gas.
The accused reportedly got into the passenger side of a vehicle, which soon stopped further down the road when the good willing driver observed police and suspected the passenger’s account to be inaccurate, said police.
The accused was arrested and taken into police custody.
As a result of both alleged incidents, police said a 50-year-old Warkworth resident was charged with: Two counts of dangerous operation; flight from peace officer, operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs; three counts of operation while prohibited; three counts of driving while under suspension; careless driving, fail to remain, fail to report accident, two counts of failure to comply with an undertaking; operate motor vehicle without insurance, and drive motor vehicle – no currently validated permit.
None of these charges have been proven in court.
The accused was held for bail, said police, on Thursday.
Both vehicles were impounded for 45 days.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
