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Spike belt on Lakeshore Drive stops stolen truck

OPP chased the truck onto Lakeshore Drive, where a spike belt was used but he driver swerved around the belt and continued to flee

City police had to use a spike belt and a taser to successfully arrest a suspected truck thief yesterday.

Yesterday evening, shortly before 10:30 p.m., OPP called North Bay police saying they located a pickup truck, reported stolen from South River, driving on Highway 11 North and heading towards North Bay.

OPP chased the truck onto Lakeshore Drive, where a spike belt was used but he driver swerved around the belt and continued to flee.

Police called off the chase near the Steve Omischl Sports Complex.

A North Bay Police patrol officer saw the vehicle shortly thereafter and strategically followed it until other cruisers arrived to assist him.

An in-tandem stop was tried but the suspect drove around the cruisers and continued down Lakeshore Drive.

A police pursuit was then initiated.

Police deployed another spike belt at Lakeshore Drive and Judge Avenue that successfully deflated the front right tire of the vehicle.

The suspect continued to drive with a deflated tire towards Algonquin Avenue where the pursuit came to an end after the truck left the roadway behind a restaurant on Algonquin Avenue and Maplewood Avenue and hit a fence.

Officers tried to remove the driver from the truck, but he refused to get out and then fought with officers. Police used a taser to subdue the man and then arrested him.

Gilbert Lizotte, 45, of Timmins is charged with:

  • Possession of Stolen Property;
  • Failing to Stop for Police;
  • Assault with intent to resist arrest;
  • Dangerous Driving; and
  • Driving while under suspension

Lizotte was held in custody for a bail hearing today.