(SAUGEEN FIRST NATION, ON) – On July 5, 2020 at 12:48 p.m. Grey Bruce Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were advised of a person driving a motor vehicle around the community of Saugeen First Nation, ON in a dangerous and aggressive manner.
The driver was observed by members of the public, operating a blue car at a high rates of speed, running stop signs, and having a complete disregard for the safety of local pedestrians and cyclists on the roadway. The driver displayed an edged weapon at pedestrians and motorists and displayed a knife to a cyclist and threatened them.
Police located this vehicle on Highway 21 and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, in a marked police cruiser, with emergency equipment activated. The driver stopped the car, got out of the vehicle with an edged weapon and had a verbal exchange with police. The driver then got back into the vehicle, conducted a U-turn and fled from police.
Police deployed a tire deflation device in front of the vehicle while it was westbound on Highway 21. The driver attempted to avoid the device and entered the ditch, crossed two fence lines and travelled approximately 500 metres across a farmer’s planted field, coming to a rest in a swampy wooded area.
The driver fled from the car on foot with an edged weapon. Police were able to negotiate with the driver who dropped the weapon and was arrested.
As a result of this investigation, Grey Bruce OPP have charged Emric THOMPSON, 48 years-of-age, from Saugeen First Nation with the following offences:
Uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, section 264.1(1)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada (CC)
Assault with a weapon, section 267(a) CC
Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, section 320.13(1) CC
Flight from police, section 320.17 CC
Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, section 88 CC
The accused was released on an Undertaking and is scheduled to appear in Ontario Court of Justice in Walkerton on September 23, 2020.
Anyone with information that can assist Grey Bruce OPP with this investigation, call 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a secure web-tip at www.cstip.ca, where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.