IGNACE, ON – The Ontario Provincial Police were very busy on Thursday, February 13, 2020. Officers from the Ignace and Dryden Detachments (OPP) were notified of three individuals involved in a series of thefts in the Thunder Bay area. The three individuals were believed to be travelling westbound on Highway 17 in two separate vehicles.
Officers conducted patrols and located one suspect vehicle on Highway 17 in Corman Township. Officers activated their emergency lights and sirens in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle. The vehicle stopped for a short moment and then fled.
Officers contained the area and observed the same vehicle traveling eastbound. A spike belt tire deflation device was deployed causing two of the tires to lose air. The driver of the vehicle lost control, ending up inoperable in the ditch where the driver was arrested.
Police located the second vehicle in Skey Township where they prepared to deploy a spike belt tire deflation device. The driver of the vehicle made efforts to avoid the spike belt tire deflation device. The driver struck a police cruiser and a tractor-trailer unit causing damage to both vehicles as well as the vehicle they were operating. The vehicle entered a ditch and became disabled.
Two occupants of the vehicle fled the scene on foot, closely tracked by officers and were arrested a short distance away.
One officer suffered minor injuries and was treated at the Dryden Regional Health Centre.
As a result of the investigation; Dawn JANMAN, 29 years old of Goderich, Ontario has been charged with the following:
- Flight from peace officer Criminal Code 320.17
- Possession property obtained by crime over $5000 Criminal Code 355(a)
- Driving while under suspension Highway Traffic Act 53(1)
Cyle VANBYNEN, 27 years old of London, Ontario has been charged with the following:
- Operation while impaired- alcohol and drugs Criminal Code 320.14(1)(a)
- Failure or refusal to comply with demand Criminal Code 320.15(1)
- Flight from peace officer Criminal Code 320.17
- Possession property obtained by crime over $5000 Criminal Code 355(a)
- Fail to comply with release order Criminal Code 145(5)(a) x3
Tess STERLING, 28 years old of London, Ontario has been charged with the following:
- Possession property obtained by crime over $5000 Criminal Code 355(a)
- Fail to comply with release order Criminal Code 145(5)(a) x2
All parties have been held in custody and will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Sioux Lookout on February 18, 2020.
