KAPUSKASING - The person facing charges in a stolen vehicle investigation has also been linked to multiple shoplifting incidents.
On Friday (May 24) around 2 p.m., James Bay OPP received a call about a stolen vehicle in Kapuskasing.
Shortly after, officers saw the vehicle on Government Road. While police tried to pull the vehicle over, the driver evaded police while allegedly going 120 km/h in a posted 50 km/h zone.
The vehicle was found soon after in the parking lot of a Brunetville Road business. Police also located the driver, who they allege had stolen property and a small amount of suspected fentanyl. Officers determined the suspect had consumed an intoxicating substance and they were arrested and brought to the Kapuskasing OPP detachment for testing.
The suspect is also linked to four shoplifting calls that happened before the stolen vehicle call, said police. Those incidents are:
- At a business on Byng Avenue from May 16
- At a business on Brunetville Road from May 24 at approximately 9 a.m.
- At a business on Brunetville Road from May 24 at approximately 10:30 a.m.
- At a business on Brunetville Road from May 24 at approximately 1 p.m.
A 29-year-old Kapuskasing resident is charged with:
- Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs
- Dangerous Operation
- Flight from peace officer
- 2 counts of failure to comply with release order
- 3 counts of failure to comply with undertaking
- Theft over $5,000 of a motor vehicle
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
- 4 counts of theft under $5,000 - shoplifting
- Possession of a schedule I substance - opioid
- Drive motor vehicle - perform stunt - excessive speed
- Drive motor vehicle - no licence
The accused is in police custody and scheduled to appear in court today (May 27).
None of the charges have been tested in court and the accused is considered innocent unless proven guilty.
