THUNDER BAY - A motorist who stopped to help a driver who had gone off the road received an unpleasant surprise when the other driver got into the truck and drove away. Luckily for the Good Samaritan, the man who stole the truck drove it right to the police station.
In a media release issued on Tuesday, Ontario Provincial Police said officers responded to reports of a stolen vehicle on Monday just after 3 p.m. near the intersection of Highway 11/17 and Highway 588.
According to police, an SUV was travelling eastbound on Highway 11/17 when it crossed the centre line and struck several guide rail posts. After the vehicle came to a stop, the driver of a pick-up truck stopped to assist the driver and passenger in the SUV.
As the driver of the pick-up truck was speaking with police on the phone, the driver the SUV got into the truck and drove off, continuing east down Highway 11/17.
The pick-up was soon located by police who attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver fled, with officers following at a distance.
Officers followed the vehicle as it pulled into the rear parking lot of the Thunder Bay Police Service headquarters on Balmoral Street where the driver was arrested.
A 31-year-old man from Ajax, Ont. was transported to the OPP detachment and charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, flight while pursued by peace officers, theft of a motor vehicle, and driving while under suspension.
The man remains in custody and is awaiting a video court appearance.
