A Thessalon resident has been charged after it alleged that he attempted to flee police on Sunday evening.
A news release issued today by the East Algoma Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) states that the accused, Mark Vasey, was recognized by officers as a prohibited driver. He fled as OPP attempted to initiate a traffic stop.
Full text of the news release follows:
THESSALON FIRST NATION - On Nov. 7, 2021 at approximately 9 p.m., East Algoma Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers were on patrol on Biish Road, Thessalon First Nation.
Police observed a Jeep and recognized the driver who was known to be a prohibited driver.
The Jeep travelled down Biish Road at a high rate of speed, driving dangerously by fish-tailing and driving in the opposite lane of traffic in an [alleged] attempt to evade police. A short time later police observed the Jeep at the end of Biish Road, stuck on the sand beach. The driver attempted to flee on foot but was eventually caught.
The driver did not have a driver's license and was a prohibited driver as a result of prior offences. Subsequently, the driver was arrested and charged. The vehicle was also towed and impounded.
Mark Vasey, 36 years old of Thessalon, was charged with:
• operation while prohibited under the Criminal Code - contrary to section 320.18(1)(a) of the Criminal Code (CC)
• dangerous operation, contrary to section 320.13(1) of the CC
• fail to comply with probation order, contrary to section 733.1(1) of the CC
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Elliot Lake on Jan. 6, 2022.