Erratic Drivers Charged

Sarnia Police were busy this morning with a couple of erratic drivers in the south end of the city. Just before 8 AM, an officer noticed a narrowly missed crash between a pick-up truck and a mini-van in the area of Campbell and Sutton Streets. The mini-van turned northbound on Sutton from Campbell and the officer was able to stop it on eastbound Confederation Street even though the van was travelling at a higher rate of speed.

The driver was a 40 year old Sarnia man who was up front with the officer advising he had no licence, no ownership or no insurance for the van. The officer had already noticed the validation was expired in 2011. It was verified the man was suspended from driving for unpaid fines. He told the officer he did not pay his previous ticket for having no insurance. The man left, walking, with plenty of paperwork. He was given a summons for No Insurance, a summons for Driving While Suspended, a Provincial Offence Notice for No Validation on Plate and another one for Turn Not in Safety.

Earlier in the morning, around 6:40 AM, this same officer was flagged down by an irate driver in the area of Ross Avenue. The irate driver, a male, was yelling and swearing at the officer about something that had occurred the previous evening. The officer was facing in the opposite direction of the irate man. The officer attempted to exit the cruiser, but the man fled the area. A licence plate number was obtained but the registered owner did not match that of today’s driver.

Information was passed on to other officers. At about 9:10 AM, another officer on patrol spotted the truck in the area of Victoria and Davis Streets. The truck travelled to the area of Confederation and Brock Streets. The man exited the truck and was screaming. Officers attempted to calm him, however, he warned them to stay back. He verbally identified himself and officer continued to speak with him. Information was obtained that he was suspended from driving. The man’s agitation increased and he told officer he did not want them near him. He got into the truck and left northbound on Brock Street.

They attempted to stop the driver, however, he was refusing to do so, even with all emergency equipment operating on the cruisers. The short pursuit was suspended due to the time of day and the area being residential. The man had been positively identified and the vehicle information obtained. The man had continued to yell profanities from his window and advising he was not going to stop.

About 9:34 AM, the truck was located in a driveway in the 500 block of Wellington Street. The truck was empty but a man matching the description of the driver was sitting on the front porch. Officers approached and attempted to arrest the man. He began to yell and was ignoring their verbal commands. He refused to put his hands behind his back. He took a fighting stance, raising his fists and called on the officers.

The officers managed to distract the man and he was subsequently taken to the ground. He continued to fight but was handcuffed. When searched, a glass pipe, with what is believed to be methamphetamine residue, was found in his pocket along with a lighter. He was taken to police headquarters. He faces charges of Flight From Police and Resist Arrest. He was also issued a Part III summons for Drive While Under Suspension. He was later released on a Promise to Appear with an Undertaking.

Constable Heather Emmons

Media Relations Officer

Tel: 519-344-8861 Ext 5345

Email: hemmons@police.sarnia.on.ca