It was another busy weekend for Northumberland OPP with dangerous operation, flight from police, assault, impaired driving and more charges laid in separate investigations, in addition to a fire in Port Hope.
Here’s your weekend OPP rundown:
FLIGHT FROM POLICE
On Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, at about 8 a.m., police said they were conducting radar enforcement on Hwy. 401 eastbound in the Municipality of Port Hope. Police allege they clocked a pick-up truck travelling at a speed of 161 km/h.
Officers activated their emergency lights, but OPP said the vehicle continued at “varying rates of high speed.”
The pick-up truck was then allegedly observed driving erratically and without moving over, passed an OPP cruiser parked on the hard shoulder with lights activated at another traffic stop, reported police.
As the driver observed more patrol cars, they decelerated and pulled over to the hard shoulder, said police, adding the accused was then placed under arrest. Police allege they subsequently found about 0.3 grams of suspected cocaine, with a street value of $30.
As a result of the investigation, police said a 57-year-old Oakville resident was charged with dangerous operation, flight from a peace officer, possession of a schedule I substance — cocaine, drive motor vehicle — perform stunt — excessive speed, fail to slow down and proceed with caution for emergency vehicle or tow truck, fail to properly wear a seatbelt, fail to signal — lane change, and fail to surrender an insurance card.
The accused was held for bail to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Cobourg. They also had their driver’s licence suspended for 30 days and the vehicle impounded for 14 days, reported police.
NO FOUL PLAY SUSPECTED AFTER FIRE
On Sunday, Sept. 8, at about 1:35 a.m., police said they responded to a report of a structure fire at a residential address on Wright Road in the Municipality of Port Hope. The fire department advised that a passerby had reported the fire, and that they, along with EMS, were on route.
Officers arrived and made efforts to ascertain the safety of persons associated with the address while firefighters addressed the blaze, reported OPP.
“The building sustained major damage as a result of the incident.”
Occupants usually at the location were not there and police said they were able to determine that there were no parties at the residence.
At this time, foul play is not suspected by police, reported OPP.
ASSAULT PROBE
Back on Aug. 30, 2024, shortly after 10:30 p.m., police said they responded to a report of an assault at an address on County Road 18 in the Township of Alnwick/Haldimand. Paramedics also attended and the victim was transported to a hospital due to sustained injuries described as minor, reported police, adding the accused was known to the complainant.
As a result of an investigation into the alleged altercation, officers said they made an arrest on Sunday, Sept. 8.
A 52-year-old Clarington resident was charged with assault and will appear in court at a future date.
SPEED ENFORCEMENT LEADS TO CHARGES
On Sunday, Sept. 8, at about 9:50 a.m., police said they were conducting radar enforcement on Norham Road in the Municipality of Trent Hills.
Police allege they clocked a pick-up truck travelling at a speed of 101 km/h in a posted 70 km/h zone.
The vehicle was stopped, and police said an officer utilized mandatory alcohol screening (MAS) by making a demand for a breath sample into an approved screening device (ASD).
The driver complied, and as a result, the individual was arrested and transported to a local detachment for further tests, reported OPP.
As a result of the investigation, a 34-year-old resident from Warkworth was charged with operation while impaired — blood alcohol concentration (80 plus), operation while impaired — alcohol and drugs, speeding, driver fail to surrender licence, colour coating obscuring interior, drive with windshield coated — view obstructed, obstruct plate, and improper mudguards.
The accused will appear in Cobourg court at a later date. Their licence was also suspended for 90 days and the vehicle impounded for seven days, said police.
None of the charges in the above separate incidents have been proven in court.
Northumberland OPP continues to remind drivers that no amount of alcohol or drugs in your system is safe when driving.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)