Broadcast Time: 1:45pm Date: Wednesday January 3rd, 2024
On the 2nd of January 2024, Ricci-Lyn Legault was at the courthouse on an unrelated matter. As she was exiting, she observed an unattended laptop and keys to a motor vehicle. After stealing those items, Legault located the vehicle in the parking lot of the courthouse and drove away in it.
Officers of the SPS Street Crime Unit (SCU) responded to the vehicle theft, quickly locating it outside of an apartment complex in the 900 block of Colborne Road. The suspect was still inside the vehicle as officers approached and attempted to place her under arrest. After opening the driver’s door and identifying themselves as police, the suspect put the vehicle into drive and fled with no regard for safety. Officers were forced to let go of Legault to prevent being dragged by the vehicle.
The vehicle fled north from the apartments and struck a parked car before losing control and striking a tree. After crashing the stolen vehicle, Legault attempted to flee on foot but was swiftly located and arrested by SCU.
Ricci-Lyn LEGAULT, 28 years of Sarnia has been charged with the following offences and held for bail:
- Theft of motor vehicle
- Flight from peace officer
- Dangerous operation
- Operation while prohibited
- Theft under $5000
- Assault peace officer x2
General Information on Bail Hearings:
“Held for bail” means the police chose to not release an accused person back into the community. However, as the police cannot hold a person in custody for longer than 24 hours, we are required to send them to bail court, where they will have a bail hearing. There, the presiding judge or Justice of the Peace will decide on whether the person should be released into the community or not.
“Released on bail” means the police held them in custody, but a subsequent release decision by the courts was made.
The bail system provides a framework to oversee and put limits on police custody. It is governed by legislation including the Criminal Code of Canada.
For media inquiries, please contact the Sarnia Police Service Criminal Investigations Division at (519) 341-8861.
Kent Jamieson
Acting Staff Sergeant
Tel: 519-344-8861 ext.5271
Email: 221@police.sarnia.on.ca