NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE
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On Saturday March 2, 2019, at approx. 10.35 a.m. a Niagara Regional police officer driving a marked police vehicle north on Niagara Street in Welland stopped at a red traffic light at the intersection of Merritt Road.
The officer stopped behind a member of the public. As the lights turned to green a red Pontiac van travelling West on Merritt Road, failed to comply with the red light, and narrowly missed colliding with the member of the public. The driver turned left onto Niagara Street, travelling South. Having made eye contact with the officer, the driver accelerated at high speed.
Police attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver refused to stop. The vehicle was followed east along Quaker Road, with the driver having committed a number of other moving traffic violations, while showing a wanton and reckless disregard for the safety of other road users, in his effort to avoid apprehension.
The vehicle reached the dead end of Quaker Road, and the driver was forced to make a U turn, and then drove directly at the police vehicle, again in the effort to avoid apprehension. The officer took evasive action, and was able to avoid a collision. At that time due to safety concerns, efforts to stop the vehicle were abandoned. Police were then approached by a male motorist, who provided some additional information with regard to the last known direction of the van.
Minutes later the driver and van were located in the St Lawrence Drive area of Welland, and after a short foot pursuit the driver was arrested and charged with Dangerous Operation of a motor vehicle Section 320.13(1) C.C, Failing to stop for police Section 320.17 C.C and Operation of a motor vehicle while prohibited Section 320.18(1) C.C.
Police would particularly like to speak with the driver at the initial start of the incident at Niagara Street and Merritt Road, and the male who approached police with the additional information in regard to the last known direction of the van.
In addition, police would also like to speak to anyone in that area of Niagara Street and Quaker Road, who may have witnessed this matter.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Constable Dave Brown, #9100 on (905) 735 7811 ext 3300, or by email at:
Incident Number: 2019-18833Submitted By: David Brown
Approved By: David.M Sawyer
Information on crimes can also be submitted anonymously using Crime Stoppers of Niagara.
To leave an anonymous tip, please contact Crime Stoppers via:
Telephone - 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS)
Online - www.niagaratips.ca
Text - Text is not available at this time.
Crime Stoppers guarantees that you will remain anonymous through any of the methods offered to provide tips. You may also be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000 if the information leads to an arrest.
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