K9 takes down Ottawa car thief, 20-year-old charged

Police arrested an Ottawa man shortly after he allegedly stole a vehicle in the city’s east end on Sunday.

Ottawa Police said officers on patrol at around 3:45 a.m. found a stolen SUV that was just reported missing. The Toyota Highlander was taken from the area of St. Laurent Boulevard and Cummings Avenue earlier that morning.

Police followed the driver until he abandoned the vehicle in a field and fled on foot. Multiple officers, including a police dog, chased the suspect.

Officers arrested a 20-year-old man from the city and charged him with theft of a motor vehicle, possession of property obtained by crime and flight from police.

Police did not release his identity.

While rising auto theft is a national problem, Ontario saw the second highest increase country-wide with a 48 per cent surge between 2021 and 2023, according to a report by Équité published on Feb. 6.

According to the Ottawa Police Service crime map, 30 vehicles have been reported stolen in the city over the last week.