Multiple charges follow car theft, chase

OPP NEWS RELEASE

************************* Stolen vehicle recovered

ESPANOLA, ON - Sometime between June 1 at 11 p.m. and June 2 at 1 a.m., a 2006 Honda car was stolen from a residential driveway in the town of Lively.

On June 2 at 11:35 a.m., while patrolling on West Branch Road, Gough Township, an officer from the Espanola OPP detachment observed the stolen vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed and in an erratic manner.

The officer attempted to stop the vehicle but the driver refused.

A short pursuit of 6.7 kilometres was initiated until it was terminated for safety reasons.

The vehicle was last seen travelling eastbound on Old Webbwood Road, which leads to Highway 6.

All available officers continued to keep observation for the stolen vehicle.

Shortly thereafter, officers observed the vehicle crossing Highway 6 from Old Webbwood Road and onto Jacklin Road, Town of Espanola.

After approximately 400 metres, the vehicle came to a stop and the suspects fled in the bush.

OPP officers then set up a perimeter and requested the Espanola Police Service to assist with the perimeter, in their jurisdiction.

The following agencies assisted in securing the area and searching for the suspects: officers from the Espanola Police Service and their canine unit, Greater Sudbury Police Service Canine Unit, Ministry of Natural Resources Canine Unit, UCCM Police Service, Anishnabek Police Service, OPP Emergency Response Team and members of the Espanola and Sudbury OPP detachments.

At 1:35 p.m., officers arrested one 16-year-old male from Lively, who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act and one adult, Chris Granzie, age 18.

As a result of further investigation, both accused persons were found to be [allegedly] involved in a number of criminal incidents prior to their arrest and are charged as follows:

Young person: possession of stolen property, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, flight from police, theft over $5,000, mischief under $5,000, break and enter, attempt break and enter, possession of a prohibited weapon and G1 driver-drive contrary to conditions.

Chris Granzie: theft over $5,000, mischief under $5,000, break and enter, attempt break and enter, possession of stolen property and possession of a prohibited weapon.

Both accused persons were released from custody and will appear in Espanola Court on September 1.

The investigation is continuing.

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