Culprit accused of accelerating towards cruiser, and more

CITY POLICE NEWS RELEASE

************************* Male arrested for flight from police, dangerous operation of motor vehicle, break & enter and personation

Officers with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service arrested 20-year-old Michael Gingras of 2820 Mission Road Goulais River, Ontario on October 10 on Frontenac Street and charged him with one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, one count of break and enter a dwelling, one count of personation with intent, and one count of breach of probation.

It is alleged that on October 10 around 4:40 a.m. officers observed a vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed eastbound on Trunk Road.

The vehicle was observed turning into a business parking lot on Trunk Road and when officers approached the vehicle with their cruiser, the driver of the vehicle made a u-turn in the parking lot and proceeded towards the exit.

When officers stopped their cruiser at the business exit, the accused driver stopped the vehicle briefly and then accelerated towards the cruiser at a high rate of speed.

The vehicle then veered away and the driver proceeded west on Trunk Road at a high rate of speed, swerving and crossing the center line numerous times.

Officers attempted to stop the vehicle in the Rankin Reserve area, but the driver would not stop.

A female passenger inside the fleeing vehicle attempted to exit the car on two occasions and was able to do so on August Street.

The vehicle continued on and was found a short time later on a dead-end road in the Rankin Reserve.

Officers observed two male occupants flee on foot from the car as they approached and contacted the OPP Canine Unit to assist in searching the area for them.

Officers located the driver in the area of Tecumseh and Frontenac Street and arrested him for flight from police.

The two occupants that were apprehended were later released following an investigation by officers.

During the investigation, officers also discovered that the accused had broken into a residence on Gran Street and changed his clothing just prior to his apprehension.

When officers were dealing with the accused, he falsely identified himself.

At the time of the incident the accused was on probation with conditions that he keep the peace and be good.

The accused is to appear in court on November 14.

************************* To view the rest of today's City Police report, click here

****************************