Multiple charges laid after driver takes vehicle onto rail tracks, attempts to flee

Anishinabek Police Service officers and Ministry of Transportation officers were dispatched to a report of a suspicious vehicle in the area of the Ottawa Valley Railway bed near Margaret Drive and Christine Lane in Nipissing First Nation on Sept. 18 around 8 a.m.

On arrival, officers located two males loading construction tools into a pickup truck, and a second pickup truck with extensive damage, about 20 feet away from the rail track, according to police.

“One male walked towards the damaged pickup truck, refused to speak to officers, got into the driver’s seat, put the vehicle into drive and accelerated forward. The two officers jumped out of the way to avoid being struck by the vehicle, which then travelled southbound, and up onto the OVR rail tracks.”

Police stated one officer pursued the truck on foot for some distance before being assisted by an OVR employee in a rail car.

“The pickup truck travelled on the rail tracks for ~ 1.5 kilometres before hitting a switch plate and rolling over into a ditch. When the officer located the flipped truck, both the male driver and a female passenger were out of the vehicle. Both were arrested, assessed by emergency medical personnel and transported to hospital.”

It was later determined that the driver had a suspended licence, and that the pickup truck had been reported stolen in Quebec.

The driver, a 50-year-old male from West Nipissing is charged with:

• Flight from Peace Officer
• Dangerous Operation
• Obstruct Peace Officer
• Driving While Under Suspension
• Possession Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 – outside Canada (two counts)
• Possession Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 – in Canada

The driver was held, pending a bail hearing.

The passenger, a 34-year-old female from West Nipissing, is charged with:

• Possession Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 – outside Canada ( two counts)
• Possession Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 – in Canada

The passenger has since been released on an Undertaking.

The Anishinabek Police Service is asking anyone with relevant information to contact them at 705-472-0270. Members of the public can also report suspicious activity in the community using our Online Reporting Tool. You can submit reports anytime, from any device, making it convenient to contribute to your community’s safety without delay. Anonymous information may also be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or online at ontariocrimestoppers.ca. Crime Stoppers guarantees the anonymity of tipsters and doesn’t ask for personal information. Tips that lead to successful investigations and resolutions may be eligible for cash rewards.