Police have laid numerous charges after a pair of males were involved in two traffic accidents, then tried to flee the scene this past Sunday, March 21.
It all started when a North Bay OPP officer was conducting radar patrol on Highway 11 in the city.
The officer tried to stop a speeding vehicle on Seymour Avenue but the driver fled.
"Officers chose not to pursue the suspect vehicle due to the large amount of traffic and pedestrians in the area," said Constable Shona Camirand.
Officers continued to look for the vehicle and saw the Audi station wagon drive through a red light on the by-pass.
"The Audi attempted to pass vehicles on the shoulder, hit a pickup truck, and continued. The driver of that pickup truck began to pursue the Audi," said Camirand.
Officers stopped the pursuing pickup truck for public safety reasons as the Audi then drove through a red light at Airport Road and Algonquin Avenue striking another vehicle in the intersection. The female driver of this vehicle was taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Two occupants of the Audi then fled on foot through the McDonald's restaurant parking lot. Both officers and witnesses gave chase on foot. The driver was arrested right away in front of a nearby Tim Hortons, while the passenger was caught a short time later on Cartier Avenue.
Police searched the Audi and found a prohibited bladed machete-style weapon, numerous pieces of suspected stolen construction equipment from St. Catherine's, and stolen licence plates.
Two people with numerous charges.
Jacob Benford, 22, from Hamilton, was identified as the passenger and is charged with:
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
- Two counts of possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000
- Obstruct police
- Possess proceeds of property obtained by crime over $5,000
- Failure to comply with an undertaking
- Two counts of failing to comply with a release order
Benford has been held pending bail with a date to appear in court on March 29, in North Bay.
A 16-year-old youth from Hamilton is also charged with:
- Dangerous operation causing bodily harm
- Failing to stop at an accident causing bodily harm
- Flight from a peace officer
- Obstruct police
- Failure to comply with an undertaking
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
- Two counts of possession of property obtained by crime under $5000
The youth was held for bail and let go on a release order. He is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice on April 7 in North Bay.
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