Two people from Leamington have been charged after an investigation into stolen vehicles in Kingsville led to a series of collisions involving police cruisers and emergency vehicles, Ontario Provincial Police say.
The investigation began at approximately 5:10 a.m. on Oct. 11, when officers were called to a crash on County Road 20. Police discovered that a vehicle had struck a house, leaving both the vehicle and the residence engulfed in flames. Investigators later confirmed the vehicle had been reported stolen. No occupants were found inside.
Around an hour later, police received a complaint about a potentially impaired driver at a business on Main Street. Officers attempted to intercept the vehicle, but the driver allegedly struck a police cruiser before fleeing.
According to investigators, the vehicle was also stolen and returned to the site of the earlier crash, where it collided with another police cruiser. It then struck a parked ambulance and fire truck before escaping again.
Police eventually located and arrested two individuals in connection with the incidents.
A 28-year-old Leamington resident faces 22 charges, including dangerous operation of a vehicle, fleeing from police, assaulting a peace officer with a weapon, criminal negligence and driving while prohibited. The accused remains in custody awaiting a bail hearing.
A 32-year-old Leamington resident faces six charges, including dangerous operation, failing to stop after a collision and theft of a motor vehicle valued at more than $5,000. The individual was released from custody and is expected to appear in court in January.