(MIDDLESEX, ON) – On April 25th, 2020 at 6:40 p.m. members of the Chippewa Police Service, Oneida Police Service and Middlesex County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to reports of a stolen Ford F250 pick-up truck being operated on the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation. Police were on patrol in the area when they observed the stolen truck. The vehicle, occupied with two suspects fled the scene followed by police. The suspects then ditched the stolen vehicle and fled the area on foot. Police apprehended one suspect a short time later and the second male was not located.
The recovered pick-up truck had been reported stolen to the London Police Service from a local car dealership on the same day.
As a result of an investigation police have charged Kalihwi RODARTE -age 26- of the Oneida Nation of the Thames First Nation with:
CC 354(1)(a) Possession Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000 – in Canada
CC 320.18(1)(a) Operation While Prohibited under the Criminal Code
CC 348(1)(b) Break, Enter a place – commit indictable offence
CC 430(4) Mischief Under $ 5,000
The accused was remanded into police custody and is scheduled to appear in a London court room to answer to the charges.
The OPP and London Police Service are continuing to investigate two incidents involving the theft of motor vehicles from local car dealerships in the London and Lobo area, on April 24th and April 25th, 2020.
If you any information on this investigation or other suspects involved in these incidents you are encouraged to contact the Ontario Provincial Police or your nearest police authority immediately. The OPP can be reached anytime, anywhere in the Province of Ontario at 1-888-310-1122. If you wish to remain anonymous you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) where you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2000.