(TOWNSHIP OF CENTRE WELLINGTON, ON) – On January 6, 2020 members of the Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to three separate occurrences that resulted in one person in custody and the seizure of a large quantity of methamphetamine and cash.
At approximately 9:05 a.m. the Wellington County OPP responded to a fail to remain collision involving a black sport utility vehicle (SUV) and a transport truck at the intersection of Wellington Road 18 and Wellington Road 29. Approximately 30 minutes later the SUV was involved in a gas drive-off from a business located on Tower Street in Fergus. Police viewed the video footage and were able to confirm the identity of the driver, who was known to police. Police also confirmed that the vehicle had been taken without the owner’s consent.
Investigation revealed that the suspect was currently bound by a Recognizance with another police service and was being tracked through an ankle monitoring system. With the assistance of that police service, officers located the suspect in the vehicle at a residence on Peglar Crescent in Fergus. Police attempted to block the vehicle in with their police cruisers, however, the driver accelerated forward and collided with the cruisers in an attempt to flee. Officers were able to stop the motor vehicle and the suspect was taken into custody. Police searched the vehicle incident to arrest and seized a large quantity of methamphetamine and cash.
Thomas Robert Wayne STEPHENS, 29-years-old of Fergus, faces the following charges:
Take Motor Vehicle Without Consent contrary to Criminal Code
Theft Under $5000 contrary to Criminal Code
Possession Property Obtained by Crime in Canada contrary to Criminal Code
Dangerous Operation contrary to Criminal Code
Failure to Stop After Accident contrary to Criminal Code
Fail to Comply with Probation Order x 3 contrary to Criminal Code
Fail to Comply with Recognizance x 5 contrary to Criminal Code
Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking contrary to Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
Class G1 Licence Holder – Unaccompanied By Qualified Driver x 2 contrary to the Highway Traffic Act
The accused was held for a bail hearing.
One officer was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries and later released and three police vehicles were damaged during this incident.