What started as a typical traffic stop for speeding resulted in a manhunt that involved multiple OPP resources.
OPP say an officer from the North Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police was patrolling on Highway 63 in Phelps Township when the officer observed a speeding vehicle on July 2 around 3:30 p.m.
The officer activated emergency lights and turned around to stop the vehicle. The OPP say the vehicle turned into a driveway and the driver fled from the vehicle.
North Bay Detachment officers were assisted by the OPP Emergency Response Team (ERT), OPP Canine Unit (K9) and OPP Aviation Services Helicopter Section to locate the driver.
The driver was located and arrested at approximately 6:30 p.m. A small amount of suspected cocaine and hydromorphone was seized from the incident.
Adrian Bowles, age 50, of North Bay, was charged with the following:
- Flight from Police Officer contrary to section 320.17 of the Criminal Code;
- Possession of a Schedule I Substance (two counts) contrary to section 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA);
- Fail to Stop for Police contrary to section 216(1) of the Highway Traffic Act (HTA);
- Use Plate Not Authorized for Vehicle contrary to section 12(1)(d) of the HTA;
- Driving While Under Suspension contrary to section 53(1) of the HTA; and
- Speeding contrary to section 128 of the HTA.
The accused was released on an Appearance Notice and Provincial Offence Summonses to attend the Ontario Court of Justice in North Bay on August 11, 2020.
