Three arrested after police chase

By Joel Wittnebel/The Oshawa Express

The Durham Regional Police were able to halt an ongoing police chase before it could potentially turn deadly as officers rammed a vehicle as it attempted to enter a Highway 401 exit-ramp in the wrong direction.

According to police, on Aug. 2, police observed the suspicious vehicle, which was thought to be stolen, driving southbound on Garden Street near Rossland Road South. When officers began following the vehicle it accelerated rapidly, running through a red light at Manning Road.

As the vehicle turned westbound onto Consumers Drive it sideswiped the police cruiser as it pulled along side it before swerving into the eastbound lanes. From there, the vehicle attempted to enter the wrong way on the Highway 401 exit ramp.

Fearing a head-on collision with the westbound vehicles exiting the highway, DRPS officers deliberately rammed the vehicle, which went into a spin, ending up on the grassy median on the north shoulder of the 401.

As officers approached, one of the passengers ran toward an officer in an attempt to flee. A taser was used to subdue the man. He was in possession of expandable baton at the time.

Three people have been arrested in connection to the incident.

A 26-year-old female of Oxford Street in Oshawa is charged with possession of crystal meth and marijuana, possession of break-in instruments and two counts of possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.

A 27-year-old man of Commerce Street in Pickering is charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, possession of crystal meth and marijuana, possession of break-in instruments, two counts of possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, two counts of failing to stop for police, driving while under suspension, driving a motor vehicle with liquor readily available and operation of a motor vehicle without insurance.

Finally, a 33-year-old man of no fixed address in Oshawa is charged with assaulting a police officer, assault with intent to resist arrest, two counts of failing to comply with a probation order, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of crystal meth and marijuana, possession of break-in instruments and two counts of possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.

All three suspects were held for bail hearings.