(MORRIS-TURNBERRY, ON) – Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has laid charges against a pair after they got caught trying to flee in a stolen All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV).
On Saturday, June 19, 2021 at approximately 8:00 a.m. officers received a call from a land owner on Brussels Line that reported someone had just been on the property and had stolen their ATV. The victim reported they could hear the machine behind their property in the woods. Officers quickly responded to the area and before long they observed the suspects driving across a field of crops. Sensing there was a possibility the fleeing suspects were going to get stuck one of the officers gave chase on foot and was able to catch up to the suspects when they later became stuck in a shallow waterway. Both the driver and passenger were placed under arrest and taken into custody.
While dealing with the driver the investigating officer noted the driver was displaying several signs that he was impaired by a drug. As a result he was further placed under arrest for Impaired Operation and was assessed by a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE). Upon completing the assessment, the DRE formed the opinion the driver was indeed impaired by a drug. Additional checks also revealed the driver was currently a prohibited driver and was serving a probation sentence.
Upon searching the accused parties they were found in possession of a stolen nail gun and a stolen wallet.
Victor JOHNSON, 34 years of age from Morris-Turnberry has been charged with:
· Theft Under $5,000
· Mischief Under $5,000
· Operation While Prohibited
· Operation While Impaired
· Fail to Comply with Probation Order – 2 counts
Jess MCCABE, 23 years of age from Elmira has been charged with:
· Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 – 3 counts
· Possession of a Schedule I Substance – Opioid.
Both accused have since been released from custody with court appearances scheduled for July 12, 2021 and August 9, 2021 at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich.