THUNDER BAY — A Thunder Bay man faces several charges including dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and possession of property obtained by crime after two incidents over the weekend.
In the first instance, a stolen black pickup truck was spotted being driven at high speed on Memorial Avenue late Saturday afternoon. Officers gave up the pursuit for public safety reasons.
Video of the incident was posted on Facebook by a local driving school.
Early Sunday evening, the same vehicle was observed in the 1000 block of Memorial Avenue, leading to a renewed pursuit.
Officers tried twice to initiate a traffic stop, the first time on Beverly Street near Winnipeg Avenue, and the second time at the Mapleward Road/Highway 11-17 intersection.
When one officer pulled to the shoulder to deploy a spike belt, he saw the driver of the pickup proceed toward him at high speed before swerving back to the middle of the road and slamming on the brakes.
The spike belt was successfully laid down as the driver conducted a three-point turn, but he continued west on the highway.
As the vehicle was moving, a passenger was seen exiting the truck, but the vehicle kept travelling as far as Twin City Crossroads where it finally stopped after making contact with a snowbank in the ditch.
Police say they executed a "high-risk" arrest of two people at that location just after 7 p.m.
The 20-year-old male suspect also faces charges of breach of probation and forcible confinement.
According to police, the latter charge relates to an underage female who escaped from the truck during the pursuit.
A 17-year-old girl from Thunder Bay is also charged with possession of property obtained by crime.
Both suspects were remanded in custody on Monday pending their next court appearance.
