On Monday November 2, 2015 at 11:20 p.m. the Highway Safety Division of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) was patrolling Highway 11 in the South Himsworth Township area.
The officer observed a vehicle travelling faster than the posted speed limit and attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver failed to stop.
The driver of the vehicle continued driving and at one point was north bound on Highway 11 in the south bound lanes. The driver eventually exited into Powassan and police continued to search for the vehicle.
Members of the North Bay OPP, North East Region Emergency Response Team (ERT), and canine assisted in the search for the vehicle and driver and at approximately 8:00 a.m. on November 3, 2015, the driver was located and arrested.
OPP have charged Gerald ARCAND, 49 of Selwyn Township with the following offences:
• Dangerous operation of motor vehicle, contrary to section 249(1)(a) of the Criminal Code
• Take motor vehicle without consent, contrary to section 335(1) of the Criminal Code
• Flight while pursued by peace officer, contrary to section 249.1(1) of the Criminal Code
• Two counts of driving while under suspension, contrary to section 53(1) of the Highway Traffic Act
• Possession of a schedule I substance – cocaine, contrary to section 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
The accused was held in custody and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice on Wednesday, November 4, 2015 for a bail hearing in North Bay, Ontario.
